PSSI's New Chairman Task: Realizing President Jokowi's Plan To Build Training Center At IKN

The new chairman of PSSI is expected to build a transaction center for the Indonesian national team. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA - Mochamad Iriawan conveyed a message for the new management to be elected at the PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB) which was held on Thursday, February 16 morning at the Shangri-La Hotel, Central Jakarta. He asked the new management to realize the dream of building a training center for the Indonesian Timas.

Towards the end of his term of office, Iriawan admitted that there were things that had been successfully done. There are also things that have not been successfully realized, one of which is building a training center.

"What is successful may be improved, for those who are not expected to be implemented soon, such as training centers," said Iriawan to the media crew.

Regarding the training center mentioned, Iriawan said that it was his original plan when he was elected as chairman of PSSI for the 2019-2023 period. He plans to realize the program around Jakarta, but there are obstacles that prevent it from being implemented until the end of his leadership period.

"At the first time I was elected, I immediately asked the government for land assistance around Jakarta for training centers," said the former West Java Police Chief.

"But our COVID-19 pandemic is experiencing difficulties. Then there is the tragedy of the chaos," he continued.

Despite encountering obstacles in the initial realization, Iriawan said he had met with the president before his term of office was over. During the meeting, the two discussed the matter of training center.

From the results of the meeting, it was found that the training center would be built in the State Capital (IKN) in Kalimantan later.

"After I went to the president, finally there was a plan to make a training center at IKN. The area is 50 hectares," said Iriawan.

"The president will also wake up training fields there (IKN) and other equipment such as mini stadiums and will be our pride," he said.

At the end of his leadership period, Iriawan did not forget to express his gratitude to the president and government for paying attention to the development of Indonesian football.

"I thank the president for his extraordinary attention. Then there is an inpres about accelerating football. Thank you, Mr. President," said the man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule.

"Thank you also, Mr. Menpora who paid attention to us (the football federation). Every time we can connect with him," he said.