Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Armed Forces Chief General Agus Subiyanto plans to form a dedicated sports battalion after soldier-athletes won a significant share of Indonesia’s medals at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.Agus said the unit would operate under the Military Physical Training and Basic Regulations Center, focusing on developing soldiers recruited through athletic pathways and identifying personnel suited for regional and global competitions.The policy, he said, allows the military to recruit civilians with proven sporting ability and train them as professional soldiers to strengthen Indonesia’s competitive pipeline.The battalion plan was announced after a ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta awarding bonuses to SEA Games medalists, where Agus spoke to reporters on Thursday.Agus said military headquarters had already recruited volleyball players competing in the top-tier Proliga, as well as footballers playing for clubs in Indonesia’s Liga 1 and Liga 2.Those athletes would form the nucleus of future teams representing Indonesia at events such as the SEA Games, Asian competitions, and the Olympics, he added.Soldier-athletes at the 2025 SEA Games contributed 19 gold, 16 silver, and 17 bronze medals to Indonesia’s overall haul of 91 gold, 112 silver, and 130 bronze medals.In recognition of their achievements, the military granted extraordinary promotions, including double-rank advancements for selected athletes, Agus said.One recipient was weightlifter Rizki Juniansyah, who won gold and broke two world records in the clean and jerk at 205 kilograms and a total lift of 365 kilograms.Rizki, previously a second lieutenant, was promoted two ranks to captain, the military said.Agus said the double-rank promotion was the first he had approved during his tenure as armed forces commander.He said the military was developing new units, including sports formations, to adapt to rapidly changing global strategic conditions.Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto praised military athletes who excelled at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, approving promotions up to commissioned officer rank.At the award ceremony, Prabowo highlighted a military equestrian athlete competing in eventing despite suffering fractured ribs after being kicked by a horse days earlier.The athlete completed the competition before collapsing at the finish line, an act Prabowo called exemplary national spirit deserving formal recognition.Prabowo also commended Rizki Juniansyah for again breaking records on the international stage.