“KONI Must Become a Home for Athletes, Not Merely a Place for Leadership Changes”
ACEH TAMIANG — The election of the new Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) of Aceh Tamiang is entering a phase that is attracting public attention. Amid discussions over who will lead the regional sports organization, Hendriko Lubis has delivered a clear message that KONI Aceh Tamiang needs a new direction focused on athlete development, achievement, professionalism, and transparency.
Hendriko conveyed the message to journalists from Wartajurnalisnews.com in Karang Baru on Saturday (September 19, 2026). For Hendriko, the contest for the KONI chairmanship should not merely be a battle between individuals. There is a much bigger issue at stake: the future of sports in Aceh Tamiang.
Changing the chairman without changing the system, he argues, would only create the same cycle. Meanwhile, athletes, coaches, and sports federations need certainty in terms of development, as well as clear and sustainable programs.
HENDRIKO: DON’T JUST CHANGE THE CHAIRMAN—CHANGE THE WAY OF THINKING
Hendriko Lubis’s vision is based on the belief that KONI must once again place athletes and sporting achievement at the center of the organization’s mission.
He is encouraging athlete development to be carried out not sporadically, but through measurable and sustainable programs tailored to the potential of each sport.
“We should not only become busy when a competition is approaching. Athletes must be developed long before they enter a competition,” Hendriko said.
This message is important because sporting achievements are not created overnight. They require a long-term process involving athletes, coaches, sports federations, local government, the business community, and society.
10 KEY IDEAS FROM HENDRIKO FOR KONI ACEH TAMIANG
If entrusted with leading KONI Aceh Tamiang, Hendriko Lubis’s proposed direction focuses on several key agendas:
1. Strengthening sustainable athlete development.
2. Encouraging the early identification and development of young athletic talent.
3. Improving the quality of coaches and sports human resources.
4. Building stronger coordination with all sports federations.
5. Promoting transparent and professional governance within KONI.
6. Strengthening cooperation between KONI, the local government, and the Aceh Tamiang Regional House of Representatives (DPRK).
7. Creating opportunities for collaboration with businesses and the private sector to support sports development.
8. Encouraging more optimal use of sports facilities.
9. Developing training programs based on clear targets and measurable performance indicators.
10. Building KONI as a common home for all members of the Aceh Tamiang sporting community.
One of the ideas receiving particular attention is the need to change the paradigm toward athletes.
Athletes should not become the center of attention only after they have successfully brought home medals. Behind every achievement are long hours of training, sacrifice, the need for proper facilities, coaching support, and organizational backing.
Therefore, according to Hendriko’s proposed vision, athlete development must be a continuous process that takes place before, during, and after competitions. Achievement is not a coincidence. Achievement is the result of a system.
That statement represents one of the central principles of the change Hendriko wants to bring to the future direction of KONI Aceh Tamiang.
TRANSPARENCY: THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW KONI’S DIRECTION
Beyond athlete development, organizational governance is another important part of Hendriko’s vision.
As an organization responsible for coordinating various sports, KONI requires orderly, professional, and accountable management.
Programs must be clear. Targets must be clear. Development strategies must be clear. And the organization’s resources must be managed according to principles of accountability.
With more open governance, communication between KONI, sports federations, athletes, local government, and the wider community is expected to become stronger.
As the election of the new Chairman of KONI Aceh Tamiang approaches, the public will naturally pay attention to the various figures emerging in the contest. However, according to Hendriko’s vision, the contest should not end with popularity or organizational networks.
What matters more is what will be done after the election.
– What are the programs?
– How will athletes be developed?
– How will sports federations be strengthened
– How will achievements be measured?
– How will the organization be managed?
– And how will KONI build trust with all sports stakeholders?
These questions are important benchmarks in assessing the future direction of KONI Aceh Tamiang’s leadership.
(SIPS)
