Mataram, 26 July 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya officially opened the esports category under Adventure and Challenge Sports (Olahraga Petualangan dan Tantangan/OPT) at the National Community Sports Festival (FORNAS) VIII 2025 in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Saturday, 26 July 2025. This event is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s gaming industry, which contributes 4 percent to the creative economy’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf/Bekraf - Menteri Ekraf Teuku Riefky Harsya Buka FORNAS VIII 2025: Dorong Esports Sebagai Penggerak Ekonomi Kreatif, Mataram, Sabtu (26/07/2025).Caption: Menteri Ekraf Teuku Riefky Harsya Buka FORNAS VIII 2025: Dorong Esports Sebagai Penggerak Ekonomi Kreatif, Mataram, Sabtu (26/07/2025).
“Indonesia has the potential to compete in the esports industry, which requires strategy, technology, and creativity,” said the Minister of Creative Economy at the Auditorium of UIN Mataram.
Organized by the Indonesia Esports Association (IESPA), the event took place over two days, on 26–27 July 2025. Three popular games were contested in this competition, namely Honor of Kings, Tekken 8, and eFootball. These titles were selected as they represent diverse genres—team-based strategy, individual combat, and sports simulation—with broad and cross-generational fan bases.
The Minister of Creative Economy stated that the esports category at FORNAS 2025 is not merely a competition, but a space where the spirit of sports, culture, and technology converge in a harmonious celebration. He emphasized that esports is an integral part of the creative economy and that Indonesia has proven itself as an emerging force in this field.
Doc. Bureau Communication of The Ministry of Creative Economy/ Creative Economy Agency
“Careers in esports are not limited to becoming professional players. There are vast opportunities in player management, tournament organization, showcasting, production management, as well as data analysis and storytelling. This is the time for us to change the paradigm, with government support—especially today with regional governments—hard work from communities, including provincial leaders,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
The Minister also underscored the presence of the Ministry of Creative Economy as a firm commitment that the game and esports industry will continue to receive comprehensive support, ranging from regulation to promotion.
“We believe that through collaboration between the central government, regional governments, communities, and academics as part of this ecosystem, Indonesia’s gaming industry can become a major force on the global esports stage,” the Minister added.
Doc. Bureau Communication of The Ministry of Creative Economy/ Creative Economy Agency
National Chairman of IESPA and Chair of the FORNAS VIII NTB 2025 Organizing Committee, Ibnu Riza Pradipto, stated that the Minister’s presence in opening the event serves as proof that the Ministry of Creative Economy is focused on creative economy subsectors, particularly esports and the gaming industry.
He explained that IESPA’s role is not only to promote, but also to educate the public about esports and the gaming industry, which have become creative economy subsectors and actively contribute to Indonesia’s economy.
“Currently, the gaming industry is a creative economy subsector that contributes approximately 4 percent to GDP. This must be a focus and receive proper attention, because we should not only be consumptive gamers, but also productive. Therefore, we must continue outreach and education on esports and the gaming industry to the regions, down to regencies, cities, and even villages,” he explained.
Doc. Bureau Communication of The Ministry of Creative Economy/ Creative Economy Agency
Cross-sector support for this competition is expected to spark collaborative momentum in advancing a creative economy ecosystem based on digital technology.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Vice Governor of NTB, Indah Dhamayantu Putri; Head of the NTB Tourism Office, Ahmad Nur Aulia; and Chairman of IESPA NTB Province, Muhammad Putera Ferryandi.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
