Indonesia Must Become the Sports Economy Platform of the Global South

By 2050, the global sports economy is projected to reach US$8.8 trillion. This is not simply a forecast about games and tournaments. It signals the convergence of manufacturing, tourism, digital ecosystems, finance, and lifestyle into one of the most powerful economic sectors of the century.

For Indonesia, this moment demands strategic clarity.

We must not aim merely to participate.

We must aim to become the sports economy platform of the Global South.

From Event Host to Ecosystem Builder

Indonesia has already demonstrated its capability to host global sporting events. The success of the MotoGP Mandalika in Mandalika and the F1 Powerboat Lake Toba confirmed that we possess the infrastructure, coordination, and global trust required to deliver world-class competitions.

However, hosting events alone does not create enduring economic strength. A nation becomes a platform when it builds permanent ecosystems around those events, training centers, sports science institutes, manufacturing clusters, digital media studios, tourism corridors, and financing mechanisms that operate year-round.

We must shift from being a venue provider to becoming a value orchestrator.

Transforming Manufacturing into Brand Ownership

Indonesia ranks among the world’s leading exporters of sports footwear. Yet much of our role remains concentrated in contract manufacturing.

This must evolve.

We need to move decisively from “Made for the World” to “Made by Indonesia.” That means supporting Indonesian brands to compete regionally and globally, investing in design and intellectual property, and building research capacity in sustainable materials.

The Global South, spanning ASEAN, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, represents the fastest-growing consumer base. These markets seek affordability, durability, and cultural alignment. Indonesia is uniquely positioned to meet this demand, leveraging our manufacturing scale and demographic insights.