President Joko Widodo delivers a statement to the press after attending the 50th anniversary of the United Development Party (PPP) at ICE BSD, Tangerang, on Friday (February 17, 2023). (ANTARA/Gilang Galiartha)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has planned to ask the two ministers who have just been elected as leaders of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) to share their ideas about targets and plans for the association.

The two ministers are State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali. They were elected as the general chairperson and the vice general chairperson of PSSI, respectively, for the 2023–2027 period, based on the results of a PSSI extraordinary congress on Thursday (February 16, 2023).

“Next week, it looks like we will meet. I will ask, is there a road map yet? Is there a target yet? To achieve the target, what must be done?" Widodo said after attending the 50th anniversary of the United Development Party (PPP) at ICE BSD, Tangerang, on Friday.

Those questions should be addressed thoroughly in order to improve the performance of the Indonesian football team, he added.

The President emphasized that the government will not make any interventions in PSSI, or change the leadership of the association.

“What’s important is there should be a change, a total reformation, a transformation, so that with the power that we have, the potential that we have, the progress can be really seen,” he said.

To this end, he stressed that it is essential for a sports federation and its leaders to have a long-term plan, such as for 25–50 years ahead, to optimize the potential.

In addition, he highlighted other essential aspects, such as the need for infrastructure, especially a national training center.

He said that the issue was raised by the coach of Indonesia’s national football team, Shin Tae-yong, at a meeting some time ago.

“So far, we have not owned a basecamp. In a conversation with Shin Tae-yong, (he conveyed that we need) five fields in one location and lodgings for the players,” he added.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Raka AdjiEditor: Tia Mutiasari Copyright © ANTARA 2023