Many Questions Around The PSSI’s IKN National Training Center Project Aid by FIFA

President Jokowi at the groundbreaking of the national training center for football at IKN Nusantara (22/9/2023). (Between/Dhemas Reviyanto)

JAKARTA - General chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir said the groundbreaking of the National Training Center (TC) in the National Capital (IKN) marked a new chapter for Indonesian football.

"This is a long-awaited dream that the football-loving community has been waiting for, where we can finally make history by having a TC for an integrated national football team," said Erick when delivering a speech at the groundbreaking of the national training center (TC) in the National Capital (IKN) on Friday, September 22.

The mock-up of the Indonesian national football training center, assisted by FIFA, covers an area of ​​34.5 hectares, located in the 1B IKN Nusantara development subregion.

FIFA has provided assistance worth IDR 85.6 billion for the first phase of TC construction. In the first phase, the plan is to build two fields, accommodation for players and coaches, and changing rooms.

"This is the first time that FIFA has given a grant of this size to a country. FIFA is donating part of FIFA Forward, which we will use to build two synthetic pitches and another natural one," said Erick.

Different from the FIFA Goal Project

This is not the first time the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has received assistance from FIFA in developing domestic football. In 2014, Indonesia was one of the countries that received assistance from the World Football Organization through the FIFA Goal Project.

The assistance, entitled the FIFA Goal Project, was used to fund field repairs at the Sports Education and Training Center in Sawangan, Depok. The field in Sawangan is planned to be used as a youth development center by the Indonesian football parent organization.

However, unfortunately, the Sawangan project cannot continue, because PSSI cannot resubmit the FIFA Goal Project in order to fulfill the tools and infrastructure. This is because PSSI was frozen by the Menpora which resulted in FIFA sanctions being imposed.

Signboard for the PSSI Young Footballer Training Center in Sawangan, Depok which was built through the FIFA Goal Project assistance program in 2013. (PSSI)

“So at that time FIFA Goal Project FIFA gave a budget of 500 thousand dollars. However, from the proposal we received assistance amounting to 499,800 US dollars. "We only prepared land or land in Sawangan," said the FIFA Goal Project Indonesia Officer at that time, Chandra Solehan when contacted by VOI, telling of his experience.

“At that time the construction plan was only for one field. If the project exceeds the budget, we have to submit a proposal to FIFA, then FIFA will make a new auction for the road project. "But because at that time there was only one field and the budget was less than 500 thousand dollars, we didn't spend a penny," said Chandra again.

The National Team No Longer Needs to Be Nomadic

The construction of the national team's training camp at IKN was welcomed by Yusuf Kurniawan, an Indonesian football observer. According to Yusuf, the presence of this TC can also save the training budget.

Moreover, the training camp at IKN will belong to PSSI, unlike what happened at the training camp in Sawangan where the land is privately owned so it cannot be fully owned by the parent Indonesian football organization.

As is known, the field in Sawangan, Depok, which was restored from the FIFA Goal Project, is land owned by the Bakrie family and is now Persija's training center. Apart from the question of ownership, Yusuf also emphasized that now the national team does not need to bother looking for a training place when preparing for FIFA Matchday.

“This is actually good. Training camp has been a dream for a long time. We used to have a TC at ABC Field in the Agum Gumelar era, but that wasn't enough. Then moved to Nirwana Park, in Sawangan. "But unfortunately, it can't be claimed because it is private property," said Yusuf to VOI.

"So far, our national team has been called nomads, moving from place to place because they don't have a training camp," added the Director of the TopSkor League.

Synthetic field at the Indonesian Young Footballer Training Center in Sawangan, Bogor which was built with assistance from the FIFA Goal Project program in 2013. (PSSI)

“Training at GBK is still paid, because PSSI rents it. "Now, with TC at IKN, you don't have to pay, so you can save a lot of expenses," Yusuf continued

According to a number of sources, the management and rental prices of GBK refer to Minister of Finance Regulation Number 28/PMK.05/2018. The money that must be spent to rent the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium is IDR 450 million per 12 hours/day.

Yusuf further hopes that the construction of the training camp at IKN can also become a new source of income for PSSI, by renting out training camp facilities.

"When this training camp is not in use, because the current TC is usually short, PSSI can rent out the facilities there. For example, for coach courses, referee courses. "As long as it is rented out, it can provide additional income," he concluded.

Questions about the IKN Training Center

Meanwhile, contacted separately by football observer Erwiyantoro, he had another opinion. He questioned PSSI's decision to build a national training center in the capital city of the archipelago. According to him, the construction of the national team TC is carried out near big cities or places where matches are usually held.

"Training centers are important, all countries need training centers, and when the state helps, this is certainly good. But the question is, why does it have to be at IKN?” he told VOI.

“This training center is for the national team, so why does it have to be at IKN? That's all the question. Because at IKN there is no stadium (to hold national team matches). Unless, Pak Jokowi builds a stadium there. Even if there is a stadium there, then who will watch it?”

Residents are enthusiastic about watching the Indonesian national football team train at Thor Field, Surabaya on June 7 2023 ahead of the FIFA Matchday match against Palestine at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya on June 14 2023. (Antara/Naufal Ammar Imaduddin)

Erwiyantoro said that moving the capital from Jakarta to IKN would take quite a long time. He also predicted minimal audience interest in IKN. Apart from that, Erwiyantoro also highlighted the distance that national team players have to cover when they have to do TC at IKN while the match is being held in another city, such as Jakarta.

"IKN is a new capital city, the population is small, while football spectators are usually found in cities that are already big," he added.

"Apart from that, if they train there, then the next day they compete in Jakarta, for example, the players' stamina, psychology and mental health will suffer. Because the distance from Kalimantan to Jakarta is very far. Has this matter been thought about?” Erwiyantoro finished.