Rano Karno Explains His Attitude On Naturalized Players: If I Don't Support, It's Not Inaugurated

Rano Karno/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Candidate for Deputy Governor of Jakarta number 3 Rano Karno made his views clear about the addition of naturalized players to the Indonesian national team.

While still serving as a member of Commission X DPR two years ago, Rano had asked for naturalization restrictions on football players in the national team.

Rano emphasized that until now he supports the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to attract players of Indonesian descent in the national team. However, there needs to be a mechanism that is considered.

"If I don't support it, it's not inaugurated, naturalization. It's just that the naturalization process has to have a mechanism, it doesn't have to be received immediately. Naturalization is needed because we really need to face a higher event," said Rano in the Cikini area, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, October 1.

What Rano emphasized when he was still in Commission X of the DPR, should not allow the addition of naturalized players to hinder the opportunities for young Indonesian players to compete.

"Indeed, at that time I gave a note, please stay, our children don't break up, for juniors, right," explained Rano.

The man who is familiarly called Bang Doel emphasized that Indonesia does need naturalized players to improve the achievements of the national team in international matches.

"Alhamdulillah, now U17 is good, U20 is good. It is actually the forerunner of naturalization that was created. What is extraordinary is that these naturalized children, his love for Indonesia is much greater," explained Rano.

Previously reported, Rano Karno, when he was still a member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, was the General Chair of PSSI, who at that time was held by Mochamad Iriawan, so as not to socialize soccer players too much. He is afraid that young Indonesian players will not be able to compete for the national team.

This was conveyed by the former actor 'The Doel of School Children' during a working meeting of Commission X with the agenda of requesting the naturalization of Shayne Pattynama in Jakarta Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

"Don't do too much naturalization. Later our children will not be able to compete," said Rano Karno.

Rano said that Indonesia actually has potential players. For that, there is nothing wrong with them having to be given the opportunity.

"Because if the size is high, yes, of course it is higher. Physically, it must be more physical. But our children are now in Turkey, yesterday they played against Moldova, it's good," said Rano.

"Although we do need it, not too much. I'm afraid that 11 players will be naturalized later. Later our children will not play games," he added.