Garudayaksa Football Academy Inaugurated With The Opening Of The Nusantara Open 2023

JAKARTA - The U-17 youth soccer tournament titled Nusantara Open 2023 officially opened on Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Cisaat, Bekasi Regency. The opening of the tournament also inaugurated the Garudayaksa Footbal Academy sports facility.

The Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, immediately opened the Nusantara Open 2023 and inaugurated the Garudayaksa Football Academy Complex.

He was accompanied by the Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo.

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

The Nusantara Open 2023 is the second volume which will take place on 14-21 December 2024. There are 16 participating teams that will appear.

In detail, as many as 11 teams came from the Elite Pro Academy (EPA), namely Persija, Persib, PSIS, Arema FC, Bali United, Borneo FC, PSM Makassar, PSS Sleman, Persis Solo, Rans Nusantara, Bhayangkara. Meanwhile, five other participants from the academy, namely PSLS Lhokseumawe, East Star Atambua, Garudayaksa FA, Malut Selection and ASIOP APacinti.

Speaking of the Garudayaksa Football Academy Complex, the sports facility has an area of 60 hectares with the availability of seven fields, one indoor stage, plus a complete dormitory with the presence of a fitness room.

Later, the Nusantara Open and the Garudayaksa Football Academy Complex will be in touch with each other.

Not only about men's football, there are plans to accommodate the development of women's football.

In addition, long-term plans have also been prepared to connect sports and public schools.

"I corrected that the tens of hectares were not only for football academies. However, our plan is also to (build) superior schools here, starting from elementary, junior high, high school, to university here, along with training centers for other sports," said Prabowo.

"The strong nation of young women must be strong. Physically strong, mentally strong, determined, enthusiastic. Only with a strong young generation and a happy spirit, Indonesia is optimistic that Indonesia can become a great country."

"Later PSSI will foster our women's women's team. There must be a Nusantara Open for women so that women also appear," said Prabowo, who is also the coach of Garudayaksa Football Academy.

Meanwhile, Erick Thohir appreciated the presence of the Nusantara Open and the Garudayaksa Footbal Academy Complex. PSSI was actually helped in the development of Indonesian football.

"High appreciation to organizations, figures, or individuals who are willing to work together and contribute to developing football. Indeed, cross-stakeholder cooperation is needed so that our football will be more advanced," said the Chairman of PSSI.

Last year, Persib Bandung U-17 won and was sent for three weeks to Qatar to participate in tournaments and training camps at the Aspire Academy.

Meanwhile, last year's runner-up, PSLS Lhokseumawe, was immediately dispatched to Qatar at the end of December 2023.

The delivery of the Lhokseumawe PSLS coincided with Indonesia U-20 made by Indra Sjafri who was also going to Qatar for a training camp.