Erick Thohir calls for safety reforms after two athletes die at Porprov XVII

Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir has called for a comprehensive overhaul of athlete protection and safety systems following the deaths of two young competitors during the Porprov XVII Central Java 2026 provincial sports week.

The deceased athletes have been identified as Ayudiah Rivana Tridiandinita, a pencak silat athlete from Semarang, and Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja, a diver from Jepara. Ayudiah passed away on October 28 after undergoing surgery for a finger injury sustained during competition on October 26. Syabilla died on October 25 during an open water finswimming event in the Awann Costa area of Semarang.

Thohir expressed deep condolences to the families and emphasized that such fatalities cannot be treated as ordinary occurrences, stressing the urgent need for improved safety protocols in sporting events.