Zainudin Amali

Zainudin Amali (born 16 March 1962) is an Indonesian politician. From October 2019 to March 2023, he served as Minister of Youth and Sport in the 41st Cabinet of Indonesia. He resigned from the position to focus on football governance because he was elected as one of the Vice-chairs of PSSI, Indonesia's football governing body. Concurrent with his position in PSSI, he was also chosen as the main commissioner of PT Liga Indonesia Baru, the operator of PSSI's competitions, in June 2023.

Early life and education Zainudin born in Gorontalo in 1962 to Mohammad Amali, a local cleric, and Maryam Hala. He spent his elementary school in his village elementary school, Buhu Elementary School (now Talaga Jaya 4 State Elementary School), but later moved to Manado to house of his relative to continue study at State Junior High School No. 1 Manado and Senior High School No. 4 Manado.

Activism During his undergraduate years, he joined the Muslim Students' Association and become member of its journalism wing, the Islamic Student Press Institute in 1986-1987. He later switched to the Golkar affiliated student organization, Gema Kosgoro (Union of Mutual Cooperation Multifunction Organizations, Students Movement) and later Angkatan Muda Partai Golkar (Golkar Party Young Force) in 1990s.

Political Career and DPR As a Golkar cadre, he was elected as congressman representing three electoral regions, Gorontalo (2004–2009), East Java VI (Kediri, Blitar, Tulungagung, Kediri City, and Blitar City) (2014–2019), and East Java XI (Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, and Sumenep) (2019–2024). When he elected from East Java XI region, he briefly become Leader of the Golkar Faction in the People's Representative Council (DPR) for only one month, before being recruited by Joko Widodo as the Minister of Youth and Sports in his second administration.

Tenure as Minister and Appointment as Professor As minister, he promoted the advance of sport development and sport policies, which were largely undeveloped prior his tenure. For his works in developing sport policies in Indonesia and promoting the rapid advancement of Indonesian sports during his tenure, State University of Semarang awarded him honorary professorship in 2022.

Personal life He is married to Nadiah Alhamid, an Arab-Indonesian, and the couple has one child named Safira.

He is affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama.