Indonesian Sports Minister Praises Kickboxing Athlete’s Courage in Reporting Sexual Violence

Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir has publicly commended kickboxing athlete Viona Amalia Adinda Putri for her bravery in reporting an alleged case of sexual violence within the sports environment. The meeting between Thohir and Viona took place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Jakarta, marking a significant moment for athlete protection in Indonesia.¹

Appreciation for Courage and Commitment to Eradication

Minister Thohir expressed his high regard for Viona’s courage in bringing forth a sensitive issue that has often been concealed. He emphasized that revealing the truth is the crucial first step towards eradicating serious problems within the world of sports.¹

“I received sister Viona, our kickboxing athlete who is particularly brave to reveal the issues and problems that we must fight and we must clean up thoroughly,” stated Thohir.¹

Government Commitment to Athlete Safety and Strict Sanctions

The Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to being at the forefront of ensuring athlete safety. He stressed the importance of strict sanctions for perpetrators of sexual violence, stating that individuals found guilty should be banned from participating in national sports for life.¹

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports is at the forefront with all sports stakeholders that things like this should no longer exist. The culprit… must no longer be active in the world of sports for life,” Thohir declared.¹

Support for Legal Proceedings

Beyond administrative actions, the government pledged full support for any legal proceedings initiated by the authorities. Thohir assured cooperation with relevant agencies to resolve the case.¹

KONI’s Support and Blacklisting of Perpetrators

The Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) also voiced strong support for the Minister’s policies. KONI Central Chairman, Lieutenant General TNI Purn. Marciano Norman, announced that perpetrators would be placed on the Indonesian sports blacklist, permanently barring them from the national sports landscape.³

“KONI Pusat fully supports the policy of the Minister of Youth and Sports. We fight cases like this… perpetrators should not be present in sports activities and should not be members of sports organizations,” Norman stated.³

Creating a Clean Sports Environment

Thohir concluded by reiterating his hope to create a safe, clean sports environment and protect all athletes from violence and harassment.¹ “Our sport must be clean,” he emphasized.¹

The Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir and Deputy Minister Taufik Hidayat also attended a Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026.²