Not Wanting To Lose To India, PSSI Turns It Back The National Team's Body

PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - PSSI decided to reshape the National Team Agency (BTN) which was previously dissolved in 2015. The 2023 U-20 World Cup is a consideration.

This decision was taken by the PSSI Executive Committee 2023-2027 at the meeting which took place, Saturday, February 18.

"We ensure the formation of the National Team Agency (BTN) because we have a big agenda, namely to play in the World Cup," said PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir, on the PSSI official website.

The man who is also the Minister of SOEs emphasized that Indonesia must not lose to other countries regarding the long-term plan for football development.

He then gave an example of India, which has a blueprint (blue print) for football from 2023-2047.

"If other countries such as India already have a blue print in 2023-2047, we must also not be left behind. Therefore, one of them, BTN has a long-term blue print on how to prepare for the national team," he said.

The National Team Agency (BTN) is actually an old part of PSSI. BTN was first formed in 2013. In the process, BTN was led by names such as Isran Noor and LaNyalla Mattalitti.

One of the achievements of Indonesian football in the BTN era was to win the 2013 AFF U-19 Cup. However, BTN was dissolved by PSSI in May 2015.

The formation of BTN is the latest strategic policy of the PSSI Executive Committee for the 2023-2027 period under the leadership of Erick Thohir.

Previously, PSSI had also announced the establishment of an ad hoc supporter committee and an infrastructure ad hoc committee. The two committees support the work of the 14 permanent committees owned by PSSI.

The ad hoc supporters committee will take care of issues related to supporters so that national football supporters can carry out their activities comfortably and safely during matches. Then the ad hoc infrastructure committee was assigned to create a training center for the national team.