PSSI Chairman: Prabowo Is Not A Carbitan Figure, But Intentions To Build Football

JAKARTA - Chairman of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir revealed that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Garudayaksa Academy, Prabowo Subianto, is not a carbitan figure but has great intentions to build football.

This was conveyed by Erick Thohir during the inauguration of the Garudayaksa Football Academy complex and the opening of the Nusantara Open 2023 tournament which took place on Jalan Cisaat, Setu, Bekasi, Thursday, December 14.

"Pak Prabowo, when he saw that Indonesian football was not a carbitan figure or had the intention of a shrimp behind a stone, but he conveyed that he loved football (Indonesia), he conveyed it to me and many did not know that at school he was the captain (ball football). This means that there is sincerity to invest in Indonesian football. As we see today the construction of the Garudayaksa training center which I said was the grandest in Indonesia," said Erick as quoted by ANTARA.

Erick Thohir, who is also the Minister of SOEs, is very open to the development of the academy because according to him, the transformation of Indonesian football cannot be done if there is no hard work together from all stakeholders.

"Indonesia football transformation is impossible (to be done) if there is no hard work together from all stakeholders. The government is present, PSSI is open, of course, which is no less important than stakeholders, individuals or from the private sector," said Erick, who is also the former President of Inter Milan.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Garudayaksa Academy, Prabowo Subianto, hopes that the Garudayaksa football academy can create potential footballers because they are opened in general.

"The Garudayaksa pandemic is open to the public. Especially (there are) options, we (propose) coaching, through the best regional selection process we study here. But of course this facility can be used by teams, yes we are also open (to the public)," said Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Garudayaksa Academy Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo revealed that football is a symbol of the Indonesian nation, therefore the Garuda team must have a great determination to get to the World Cup.

"Football is a symbol, a symbol of the nation, Indonesia must have determination, and that way we can go to the World Cup," said Prabowo, who is also the Minister of Defense.