PURWAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, stated that neighborhood and inter-village football tournaments serve as highly effective catalysts for sustainable local economic activity across rural communities.

He noted that street vendors, beverage stalls, and local snack sellers experience significant turnover increases during matches due to large spectator turnouts.

"We believe that initiatives like village football tournaments actively drive rural development—stimulating local economies, promoting tourism villages, and fostering both physical and mental well-being," Minister Yandri stated in his opening remarks during the Grand Final of the Women's Football Competition in Cibeber Village, Kiarapedes District, Purwakarta Regency, West Java, on Tuesday (September 22, 2026).

Furthermore, Minister Yandri highlighted that the tournament, organized by the Red and White Association of Indonesian Village Administrations (APDESI Merah Putih), extends beyond community entertainment, delivering strategic grassroots developmental impacts.

He encouraged village administrations to consistently allocate Village Funds (Dana Desa) toward sports infrastructure to revive local tournaments and foster athletic talent across regions.

"We will continue to support community sports initiatives. Beyond football, our ministry promotes various sports programs—including volleyball and futsal—to be actively organized at the village level," Minister Yandri explained.

Additionally, Minister Yandri announced preparations for the 2027 National Village Day (Hari Desa Nasional 2027), which will feature the National Village League (Liga Desa Nasional). Mojokerto Regency, East Java, has been designated as the primary host location.

He emphasized that the National Village League is more than an inter-village sports tournament; it serves as a major national platform for rural communities to showcase athletic talent, strengthen social cohesion, and stimulate peripheral economic growth.

Recognizing that many gifted athletes in remote areas lack access to elite sports academies, the National Village League provides a vital gateway for village youth to gain exposure to national talent scouts and professional clubs.

"We will host the National Village League in conjunction with National Village Day, involving thousands of villages nationwide. This initiative serves as an exemplary model for rural communities across Indonesia," he concluded.

Attending the event were Regent of Purwakarta Saepul Bahri Binzein and General Chairman of APDESI Merah Putih Anwar Sadat.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were Secretary-General of Kemendes PDT Taufik Madjid, Head of BPSDM Agustomi Masik, Director General of PDP Nugroho Setijo Nagoro, and Head of BPI Mulyadin Malik.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Dayat/Kemendes PDT