<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the role of local government in youth empowerment and high-achieving athlete development in Central Kalimantan Province, as well as to identify various constraints in its implementation. This study employed a qualitative method with an exploratory approach through interviews, observation, and documentation involving the Department of Youth and Sports, sports organizations, youth, and athletes. The results indicate that the local government has implemented various efforts for youth development and competitive sports; however, the implementation still faces obstacles such as weak inter-institutional coordination, limited funding, inequality in access to activities, and an sub-optimal data-based monitoring and evaluation system. These conditions have resulted in unsustainable athlete development and fluctuating regional sports achievements. This study also reveals that an incremental policy approach causes resource distribution to lean toward administrative tasks and has not fully addressed the strategic needs of both youth and athletes. The contribution of this study lies in strengthening the concept of reorienting the local government's role as a catalyst for youth and sports development through cross-sector collaboration, equitable access, and strengthening a sustainable development system. Thus, improving youth quality and athlete achievement depends not only on event execution but also on the local government's ability to build adaptive, collaborative, and long-term impact-oriented governance.]]>
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