Meeting the Man Behind Indonesia’s Olympic Dreams!

Location: Jakarta

Mr Raja Sapta Oktohari, President of Indonesian Olympic Committee

Hey dreamers, rebels, and everyone daring to be different! Zazi here, back from another adventure, and wow, this one was pretty epic. I am bubbling with excitement to spill the beans about one of the coolest meetings I’ve had in a long, long time. Remember how I’m all about that “shredding at the Winter Olympics” dream? Well, sometimes, you gotta meet the people who make those dreams a reality (or at least help clear the path)!

Get this: I got to sit down with none other than Mr. Raja Sapta Oktohari, the big boss himself, President of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (NOC Indonesia)! The date was Thursday, June 26th. The place? The swanky (but super welcoming!) offices of NOC Indonesia right here in Jakarta. And let me tell you, walking into that building, I felt a mix of “pinch me, is this real?” and “please don’t trip on the carpet, Zazi!” Seriously, My inner fangirl was totally doing a happy dance, even if my outer self was trying to play it cool.

Honestly, walking in, I was a mix of nervous excitement and my usual “let’s see what crazy thing happens next” vibe. But Mr. Oktohari? Super chill, incredibly welcoming, and totally down-to-earth. He was incredibly engaging, warm, and had this amazing energy that just makes you feel instantly comfortable. We chatted about everything from my snowboarding ambitions (heck yeah, Indonesia on the snow map!) to the grind of being an athlete, and even just the general awesomeness of chasing big dreams. I was making mental notes like a madwoman, trying to soak up every single pearl of wisdom!

It’s truly inspiring to hear someone speak with such dedication about developing sports and empowering athletes. He’s not just a figurehead; he’s been deeply involved in the sporting world for years, making real waves. Did you know he was the President of the Indonesia Cycling Federation (ICF) from 2015 to 2019? Talk about putting pedal to the metal for national sports!

And get this – he was the Chef de Mission for Team Indonesia at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. Under his leadership, Indonesia brought home a shiny gold medal (shoutout to our amazing badminton mixed doubles!) and two silver medals in weightlifting. Can you imagine the pressure, the responsibility, and then the sheer joy of leading a team to such triumphs? That’s true leadership right there!

He also chaired the Indonesia Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) in 2018, which was a massive undertaking and a huge success, showcasing Indonesia’s capability to host major international events. And before all of that, he was even recognized as the youngest boxing promoter in the world, earning the “Asian Promoter of The Year 2011” award from the World Boxing Association (WBA)! That’s quite a punch, literally and figuratively!

It makes you think, doesn’t it? What amazing things can be achieved when passion meets dedication and strategic thinking. Mr. Oktohari’s journey, from a boxing promoter to leading our Olympic committee, is such a powerful reminder that with hard work and a clear vision, anything is possible. It’s not just about winning medals; it’s about building a legacy, inspiring a nation, and creating opportunities for countless athletes.

As the current President of NOC Indonesia (serving two terms, 2019-2023 and 2023-2027!), he’s continuing to champion Indonesian sports on the global stage. It left me feeling so incredibly proud to be Indonesian and excited for what’s next for our athletes.

And speaking of inspiring achievements, it is amazing what our Indonesian athletes did at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It was incredible! They brought home two glorious gold medals – one from the dazzling speed climber Veddriq Leonardo and another from the powerhouse weightlifter Rizki Juniansyah. And to top it off, our amazing badminton star Gregoria Mariska Tunjung clinched a well-deserved bronze. It just goes to show the incredible talent and dedication we have in this nation, and the hard work behind the scenes truly pays off!

Now back to the boardroom … This meeting wasn’t just a tick off my professional bucket list; it was a genuine shot of inspiration. It wasn’t some super formal, stuffy meeting. It felt more like a really inspiring chat with someone who genuinely believes in the power of sports and pushing boundaries. He’s got this amazing energy that just makes you want to work even harder and aim even higher. It reminded me that whether you’re trying to write a blog post, learn a new skill, or, like Mr. Oktohari, lead a national sports movement, the key ingredients are always the same: passion, perseverance, and a little bit of that can-do attitude. 

So, yeah, that’s my latest mash-up of extremes: from the slopes to the boardroom, connecting with incredible people who are shaping the future of Indonesian sports. It just goes to show, whether you’re on a snowboard, on a dance floor, or in a meeting room, it’s all part of the grind, and it’s all about living for the thrill of the challenge!

So, next time you’re watching an Indonesian athlete compete, remember the incredible individuals like Mr. Raja Sapta Oktohari working tirelessly behind the scenes to make those dreams a reality. And who knows, maybe one day, you will be able to cheer me, Zazi, on from the stands at the Olympics! A girl can dream, right?

Stay sassy, stay inspired, and keep chasing those dreams!

Zazi out!