Former National Team Striker, Peri Sandria Remembers IGK Manila

JAKARTA - The former striker of the Indonesian and Greater Bandung national teams, Peri Sandria, recalled sweet stories with the former manager of the 1991 SEA Games IGK Manila who died on Monday.

Peri had become Manila's foster children on two occasions, namely in Greater Bandung and the Indonesian national team. Peri and Manila's achievements to bring the Indonesian national team to win the 1991 SEA Games gold medal even lasted quite a long time, before they could be matched by the Indonesian national team at the 2023 SEA Games.

"I personally express my deep condolences for the death of Mr. IGK Manila, may Allah SWT accept him and be accepted in Allah's heaven. The family left behind may be more steadfast and patient," said Peri when contacted on Monday.

"Yes, I have the same impressions, Mr. (Manila) is a good person, a firm and disciplined person. When I was at the SEA Games too, he also gave important advice to me and my friends. Actually, the memories that were the most impressed were when we won the 1991 SEA Games, not in Greater Bandung," he continued.

Salah satu kisah yang untuk dihitui Peri dari Manila adalah label bukit diatur yang disematkan Manila terhadap dirinya.

"One time in Surabaya (to undergo preparations for the SEA Games) he once told me and my colleagues, he said, I was the commander of the army, the PM (Military Police) at that time yes, I can lead a battalion, but in football one person I find it difficult to lead. My name is mentioned. So I am one of the players who is difficult to manage, "said the top scorer in the 1995/1996 Indonesian League.

'However, he is a good father, as a friend, and a friend. Even though he is a soldier who is full of swift, full of discipline, especially if he is already angry. So I actually really really lost him like that.'

"Yes, I may also have a lot of sins with him because I did something strange with him. However, after all, his name is a father who can still forgive. Even though there were mistakes that I made," he continued.

After Peri retired as a professional footballer and Manila took more part in politics, Peri said that their communication was not too intense. However, on many special occasions, Peri is often invited to attend directly to Manila.

"Like yesterday, the last two months I met him, I was also invited through his aide, his birthday event at Nasden. I was appointed as a temporary aide to pick him up at the event. So this is an honor for me," concluded Peri.

Former manager of the Indonesian football national team, I Gusti Kompyang (IGK) Manila died at the age of 83 at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, Jakarta on August 18, 2025. The body of the retired Major General of the Indonesian Army will be cremated in the same place the day after tomorrow, August 20.