The Late Nugraha Besoes In The Eyes Of The PSSI Secretary General

Former PSSI Secretary General, Nugraha Besoes. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - Sad news enveloped PSSI. Former PSSI Secretary General, Nugraha Besoes, died on Monday, February 6, early morning WIB.

He died at the National Brain Center Hospital (PON) Professor Mahar Mardjono, Jakarta, at the age of 81. Nugraha Baeoes died at around 00.15 WIB and was buried in the afternoon.

Yunus Nusi, who is currently sitting as Secretary General of PSSI, admitted to making Nugraha Besoes a role model in carrying out his duties.

"He is the former secretary general of PSSI with the best integrity and administrative ability," said Yunus, as quoted by Antara, Monday, February 6.

The man who once served as a member of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) also said that he had a good relationship with Nugraha Besoes.

Yunus often invited Nugraha Besoes when PSSI held a congress. However, Nugraha was never present because her health condition was not good.

"Every time I want a congress, sometimes I call him to deliver an invitation. However, the deceased always reported that he could not attend because of his health," said Yunus.

Meanwhile, PSSI's 2016-2017 secretary-general Ade Wellington admitted that he was impressed with the figure of Nugraha Besoes. He said the deceased did not hesitate to share knowledge with his juniors.

"He did not hesitate to share knowledge with his juniors, including to me before and when I was secretary general of PSSI," said Ade, also quoted from Antara.

He considered that the figure of Nugraha Besoes did have qualified abilities as secretary general of PSSI. The proof is that Nugraha Besoes was able to survive as secretary general of PSSI in the three eras of leadership in the organization that was founded on April 19, 1930.

"The deceased has the advantage of being secretary general. He was able to carry out the wishes of the general chairman, exco (executive committee-ed) and the football community at that time properly," said Ade.

Nugraha Besoes is also called Ade having the services behind national football. When Nugraha sat on the seat of secretary general of PSSI, the Indonesian national team won gold medals at the 1987 SEA Games and 1991. In addition, Indonesia also became a champion in the 2008 Independence Cup.

"In his time, there were also many success achievements, such as PSSI being able to run competitions, be it Galactic professionals, United Cup amateurs, Galanita Women's, Student Gala, youth competitions, goalkeepers to the Soeratin Cup. He also escorted us to win the SEA Games, the Independence Cup and others," said Ade.

Nugraha Besoes began serving as Secretary General (Sekjen) of PSSI during the leadership of Kardono in 1983-1991.

After that, Nugraha was still given the trust to fill a similar position in 1991-1999 when Azwar Anas led PSSI.

The man who was born on July 4, 1941, did not hold the position of Secretary General of PSSI for a while before finally returning to that position when Nurdin Halid became chairman of PSSI in 2003-2011.

This confirms the name Nugraha Besoes as the longest-serving figure to hold the position. No one has been able to match him until now.