House Of Representatives Commission X Approves Calvin Verdink And Jens Raven Naturalization

PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh-VOI

JAKARTA - Commission X of the House of Representatives approved a request for consideration of granting citizenship to the Republic of Indonesia for footballers, Calvin Ronald Verdok and Jens Raven.

The decision regarding the naturalization of the two soccer players was taken at the DPR Commission X working meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo and PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi, at the DPR building complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, June 3.

"Commission X has decided to approve the citizenship recommendations on behalf of Calvin Ronald Verdonk and Jens Raven," said Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives Hetifah Sjaifudian as chair of the meeting.

"With a note that the determination of Indonesian citizenship is determined by the competent agency based on the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations," he continued.

In the working meeting, Menpora Dito Ariotedjo revealed the reasons for the consideration of giving the status of Indonesian citizens to Calvin Verdok and Jens Raven. Namely, both of them have Indonesian descent.

Dito explained that Calvin Verdonk had blood from his father's Aceh descent. Currently he is a prestigious club player in the Netherlands, Feyenoord.

At the club, said Dito, Calvin almost played 200 top football matches which he had participated in in the Netherlands and Portugal at the age of 26.

"He is always eager to play for Indonesia, the country where several of his family members were born and raised. He is a left-handed player with the talent and confidence to play on the left wing, especially using a left-footed shot and his second-in-law shot," explained Dito.

Meanwhile, Jens Raven, added Dito, is a physically tall and strong figure, as well as a rising star who occupies the striker position. Jens Raven has a lineage from her grandmother who comes from Yogyakarta.

"The striker type is currently not owned by the Indonesian national team at any level. Using his talented physical attributes where the height is almost 190 cm," said the Golkar politician.

According to Dito, Raven could be one of the great strikers to represent Indonesia at the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

"Where he can develop further and be tested to play at a higher level in the Indonesian National Team, teams such as the U-23 and senior levels," he said.