President Prabowo Discusses National Football Development with Zinedine Zidane at WEF Davos
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his commitment to advancing Indonesia’s national football during a meeting with French football legend Zinedine Zidane on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, January 22.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting, which lasted around 45 minutes, focused on strategies to strengthen national football and the national team. In a post on the Cabinet Secretariat’s official Instagram account (@sekretariat.kabinet) on Sunday, Wijaya said President Prabowo conveyed his strong determination to continue developing football across the country.
“During the approximately 45-minute meeting, President Prabowo conveyed his strong desire to continue advancing national football and the national team,” Wijaya said when confirmed by media
During the discussion, President Prabowo also outlined plans to ensure that every new school built in the future will be equipped with a football field. These facilities, he said, are intended not only for school activities but also to serve as training grounds for children in surrounding communities.
In addition to presenting ideas related to infrastructure development, the President sought Zidane’s views and input on nurturing and developing national football to support its long-term growth. “President Prabowo also requested input and advice from the maestro Zidane on the development of national football,” Wijaya added.
President Prabowo also drew international attention at WEF 2026 in Davos by introducing the concept of “Prabowonomics,” an inclusive economic strategy centered on social welfare. Addressing thousands of global leaders and chief executives, he said Indonesia’s future economic foundation lies in strengthening human resources through a free nutritious meal program, downstream industrial development, and firm law enforcement to ensure investment certainty.
In his address, the President emphasized that prosperity cannot be achieved without peace and highlighted the role of the sovereign wealth fund Danantara as a key driver of the national economy.
President Prabowo’s participation at the WEF—marking the first appearance by an Indonesian leader at the forum in a decade—has positioned Indonesia as a strategic global partner committed to independent economic growth while remaining open to international collaboration.
