Selection Of Indonesian U-16 National Team Players, Nova Arianto Opens Opportunities For Descendants Talenta

JAKARTA - The U-16 Indonesian national team coach, Nova Arianto, is leading the selection of players. On that occasion, Nova also opened up opportunities to recruit talents of descendants or diaspora.

Despite opening up opportunities to recruit diaspora players, Nova Arianto said that currently the main priority is to take advantage of local talents who come from domestic competitions, such as the Topskor League, the Soeratin Cup, and the Elite Pro Academy (EPA).

"The possibility (recruiting diaspora players) is always there. I always say that being a (player) of the national team is the right and obligation," said Nova Arianto after leading the training at Field B, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Monday, February 19, 2024.

"The rights are for all Indonesian players who have Indonesian passports. They have the right to play for the national team. The obligation is, if we call them, they are obliged to defend the national team," said Nova.

The open opportunity to look at the diaspora players can be seen from the search for data on related players that Nova and his staff are currently conducting.

"The opportunity is very large. We are looking for data on players. However, of course they must have an Indonesian passport," said the coach.

For information, the selection of players in the U-16 Indonesian national team training camp agenda was carried out in early preparation. The Garuda Muda squad will appear in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup and the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification.

The selection of Indonesian U-16 national team players is divided into three waves. In the first batch which will be held starting February 18, 2024, Nova has summoned 32 players.

After the agenda is complete on February 21, 2024, all players in the first wave will be sent home. Then, the coaching team will call other players as a second batch selection.