Jakarta, April 17 -- Indonesia is exploring cooperation with Qatar to develop sports academies and expand sports tourism, its youth and sports minister said after meeting the Gulf state's ambassador in Jakarta.

"Indonesia needs to learn from Qatar, which has one of the most advanced sports industries," Minister Erick Thohir said in an official statement released on Friday.

During a meeting at the ministry's office in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, Thohir and his delegation discussed potential strategic cooperation with Ambassador Sultan bin Mubarak Al-Dosari.

Accompanied by ministry secretary Gunawan Suswantoro and advisers, the minister focused on opportunities to build long-term bilateral collaboration in sports development and relat...