Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 09:51 AM

Indonesia sets sights on Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with bonus boost

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Aditya Ramadhan, Raka Adji

Jakarta (ANTARA) - For the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Indonesian government has promised Rp3 billion (around US$198,525) for gold medalists—a bonus announced by President Prabowo Subianto himself during the send-off of the Indonesian contingent at the State Palace in Jakarta on September 9.

Addressing hundreds of athletes bound for Japan, the president cited the figure while contrasting it with the Rp1 billion gold medal bonus set for the SEA Games.

That comparison elevated the discussion around bonuses beyond mere numbers, signaling how the government tiers the international competitions in which the nation competes. The Asian Games convenes sporting powerhouses from across Asia, whereas the SEA Games is regional to Southeast Asia.

Twelve years prior, when Indonesia competed at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, an individual event gold medalist received a bonus of Rp400 million. While it might have been substantial at the time, that figure pales in comparison to the incentives prepared for the upcoming Games.

In 2018, when Indonesia hosted the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, the government awarded Rp1.5 billion to individual event gold medalists. Doubles winners received Rp1 billion, while athletes in team events were granted Rp750 million each, with all taxes covered by the state.

Furthermore, in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the individual gold medal bonus rose to Rp1.575 billion.

Behind these figures lies a shift in how the state rewards athletes. Bringing home a medal is no longer just a point of pride celebrated at welcoming ceremonies; it now comes with steadily increasing rewards.

Silver and bronze medalists will also receive support, as will coaches. For athletes and coaches serving in the military or police force, that recognition includes fast-tracked career advancements and promotions.

The medals athletes win will eventually have an impact on their careers, with benefits extending far beyond the fading spotlight of competition.

Substantial government payouts are nothing new, either. In January 2026, the government disbursed a total of Rp465.25 billion in bonuses for the 2025 SEA Games medalists, including triathlete Martina Ayu Pratiwi, who received Rp3.44 billion after winning five gold and two silver medals.

Martina used a portion of the money to renovate her parents' home in Magetan District and saved the rest as she gears up for the 2026 Asian Games and the upcoming Olympics.

Recognizing that managing sudden wealth requires guidance, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has partnered with financial institutions to provide athletes with financial literacy programs.

Beyond the bonus

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat has his own perspective and message regarding the bonus, given his experience as a gold medalist at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics.

Taufik urged athletes not to view bonuses as their primary motivation. His message was simple: compete for achievement, and the rewards will follow.

While a Rp3 billion payout is undoubtedly a life-changing sum, athletes require a deeper drive to endure grueling training, injuries, and setbacks before ultimately reaching the podium.

Medals are the target in the arena, while bonuses are only a token of appreciation that follows.

The upcoming Games in Aichi-Nagoya present a different challenge for Indonesia compared to the previous edition.

Indonesia has set a target of four gold medals, taking a more conservative approach compared to its seven-gold tally in Hangzhou. This realistic target stems from the dropping of three events that were previously major gold sources for the country: two dragon boat disciplines and one shooting event, none of which will be featured at the 2026 Asian Games.

Their absence naturally alters the country's medal prospects.

The four-gold target focuses on sports where strong opportunities remain. Badminton continues to lead as a key gold hope, with sport climbing and weightlifting also in the mix.

For sport climbing, Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Sport Climbing Federation, Yenny Wahid, noted that the organization is targeting three medals, including two golds.

In weightlifting, the Indonesian Weightlifting Association is targeting one gold medal, while remaining optimistic about adding silver or bronze to the tally.

To conclude the send-off ceremony, President Prabowo handed the national flag to Veddriq Leonardo—an Indonesian climber who had already stood atop the Olympic podium in Paris 2024.

Veddriq knows what it takes to bring Indonesia to the highest triumph. He also knows that winning a medal does not make the next challenge any easier—if anything, it comes with a whole new weight of expectations.

This is the same truth for the hundreds of other athletes heading to Aichi-Nagoya. They carry a four-gold target, along with the hopes of both government and nation.

All these athletes know there are substantial rewards waiting for them if they manage to bring home gold. However, when the competition begins, those numbers fade into the background.

Once in the arena, no bonus can help an athlete run faster, lift heavier, or climb higher. Victory hinges on grueling training, split-second courage, total focus, and seizing that single moment to stand above the rest.

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