Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir (center) speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, February 20, 2023. (ANTARA/Indra Arief P/rst)
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir said on Monday the government will provide infrastructure support for national football, including by building a training center in the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara.
"The government is ready to support PSSI in building the training camp that is certainly needed by our national team," Thohir remarked during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
He said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will soon invite the PSSI management to IKN Nusantara to explore potential locations for the training center.
"However, we still do not know where it will be," he stated.
Thohir noted that the government will also build other football infrastructure, such as stadiums for international championships, as well as provide support and permits for holding football matches.
"The government will also support the granting of permits for football matches, and it must have been issued in three months before the (national) competition started. This is an extraordinary achievement for us," Thohir remarked.
According to him, The National Police informed that apart from the provision of permit, they will also improve oversight of match-fixing crimes.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo earlier stated that the police had formed a task force to combat mafia in football.
"We really support this effort because we believe that improving football is impossible without collaboration, not only from the government but also the football community to ensure this transformation. One of the examples of the football transformation is drafting a presidential instruction," Thohir emphasized.
The presidential instruction that is being prepared is expected to encourage student football to return, he remarked.
PSSI has confirmed to set up two ad-hoc committees for supporters and infrastructure to support football transformation in the country, Thohir stated.
He noted that the establishment aimed to manage football supporters and boost the performance of the national football team by building a training center through the infrastructure committee.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta SEditor: Anton Santoso Copyright © ANTARA 2023