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Mandalika breathes new life into Jokowi’s ambitions
While Indonesia’s second international racing circuit is expected to breathe new life into the West Nusa Tenggara economy, it is also the centerpiece of President Joko Widodo’s plan to turn the country into a destination for major international sporting events.
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A motorbike racer takes his vehicle through the paddock ahead of a free practice run for the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara, on Nov. 19, 2021. The WorldSBK race features 23 racers from 12 teams and runs from Friday until Sunday. (Antara/Ahmad Subaidi)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s big dream of developing tourism hubs outside of Bali looks to be reaping rewards.
His inauguration of the Mandalika Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Nov. 12 has spurred a sense of optimism and euphoria among residents especially given their bid to revive tourism from the pall of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Indonesia’s second international racing circuit is expected to breathe new life into the local economy, it is also the centerpiece of Jokowi’s plan to turn the country into a destination for major international sporting events.
The brand new venue has been chosen as the final race track for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) held over the weekend, a global event that is likely to attract up to 30,000 people to the resort island.
“Big events will continue to be held every year at the Mandalika Circuit and it will certainly have an impact on economic growth in NTB,” the President promised when he inaugurated the circuit last week.
Mandalika is also set to host the MotoGP championship in March next year, after a string of delays brought about by COVID-19 restrictions.
Indonesia previously hosted MotoGP and Superbike events in the 1990s at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor, West Java, but activities there were brought to a halt as a result of the Asian Financial Crisis of the 1990s.
