Short And Long Term Projects From Eliano Reijnders And Mees Hilgers Naturalization

JAKARTA - Eliano Reijnders and Mees Hilgers' naturalization application is being discussed at a working meeting of the Indonesian House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Most recently, the request for citizenship between the two was approved by Commission III of the DPR RI at 13.00 WIB. Currently, we are just waiting for a meeting with Commission X of the DPR RI on the same day at 15.00 WIB.

During a working meeting with Commission III, Menpora Dito Ariotedjo explained a number of naturalization considerations between the two. He explained the short and long-term projects of Eliano and Mees naturalization.

In the short-term project, the presence of the two players was to make the performance of the Indonesian national team to serve for the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers, the 2024 AFF Cup, to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

"That empowerment of athletes referred to in the short term under five years is needed for the 2026 World Cup, the Third Round of World Cup Qualification which will be held in 2024 and 2025, the 2024 AFF Cup, and the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia," said the Menpora.

The strength of the two players is also expected to make history for the Indonesian national team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

In addition, the Minister of Youth and Sports also revealed long-term projects for the naturalization of Eliano and Mees.

"Empowerment of athletes in question for long-term targets over five years, namely FIFA's top 100 and Asia's top 10 targets," said Menpora Dito Ariotedjo.

The footballer with the full name Eliano Johannes Reijnders is a player of Indonesian-Dutch blood.

The Indonesian blood of the PEC Zwolle player was obtained from his mother, Angelina Syane Lekatompessy, who was born in Jakarta on November 18, 1976.

Eliano's grandfather, Jantje Lekatompessy, was also an Indonesian born in Jatinegara, Jakarta, on December 29, 1947.

In addition, Eliano has a wife of Indonesian descent, Marciana Rathna.

Then, Mees has the full name Mees Victor Joseph Hilgers. Just like Eliano, the 23-year-old player also has Indonesian-Dutch blood.

Indonesian Mees blood is obtained from her mother, Linda Tombeng. Mees has a grandfather of her mother, Hendrik Victor Tombeng, who was lahar in Ambon on April 22, 1924.

Then, Mees' grandmother is also an Indonesian named Muhija Muchtar who was born in Jakarta on May 4, 1926.

Mees menjadi pemain yang tengah hangat diperbincangkan. Dia sudah meroket pada usia muda dan tampil bersama Timnas Belanda U-21.

"Mees is in the Dutch potential U-21 center back. He has international football experience, young players represent the Dutch U-21," said the Menpora.