The elected Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Melki Laka Lena, along with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, and his delegation, visited Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, to discuss plans to establish the area as a sports tourism destination in Indonesia.
The visit was also attended by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Taufik Hidayat, along with members of the music group called The Dudas Minus One, which includes Raffi Ahmad, Ariel Noah, Gading Marten, and Desta Mahendra.
During a meeting with Laka Lena, Ariotedjo expressed his commitment to developing Labuan Bajo, located in West Manggarai Regency, as Indonesia’s leading sports tourism destination. Ariotedjo’s visit carried a significant mission—to position Labuan Bajo as the centre of sports tourism in Indonesia. His optimism was fuelled by the area’s breathtaking natural beauty and its continuously improving infrastructure.
“We aim to ensure that the development of sports tourism in West Manggarai progresses optimally. The government is prepared to support sporting events that can attract both domestic and international tourists,” said Ariotedjo while attending the Ibunda Badminton Championship at the Ibunda Labuan Bajo Sports Hall on Sunday, the 16th of February.
Laka Lena, meanwhile, emphasised that collaboration between the government, local communities, and the private sector is key to successfully developing sports tourism in Labuan Bajo.
“The Minister of Youth and Sports invited us to Labuan Bajo to ensure that sports tourism development in West Manggarai is well-executed,” remarked Laka Lena.
Laka Lena further noted that the Minister of Youth and Sports is committed to supporting preparations for the 2028 National Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Nasional or PON) in East Nusa Tenggara and enhancing sports tourism by leveraging existing capacity and networks.
“We are grateful for the support from the Minister of Youth and Sports and his network, including Raffi Ahmad, Ariel Noah, Gading Marten, and Desta Mahendra. This initiative is just one of several programmes that the Minister will implement in East Nusa Tenggara. It will contribute to the advancement of competitive sports in East Nusa Tenggara while also fostering sports tourism,” added Laka Lena.
The presence of The Dudas Minus One added a relatively fresh dimension to the development of sports tourism in Labuan Bajo, as the music group aims not only to promote sports but also to showcase local arts and culture, enhancing the region’s appeal to tourists.
“We are thrilled to contribute to Labuan Bajo’s development—not only as a natural tourism destination but also as a hub for sports and creative industries,” said Raffi Ahmad on behalf of The Dudas Minus One.