PSSI Celebrates 94th Anniversary, Prepares Changes And Alludes To Kans To The World Cup Faster

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir in the celebration of PSSI's 94th Anniversary (Ulfa Gusti/VOI).

PSSI is celebrating its 94th anniversary on Friday, April 19, 2024. Under the leadership of Erick Thohir, he wants significant changes that can boost Indonesian football in the eyes of the world.

With the hope of changing to a positive direction, Erick Thohir as the General Chair of PSSI did not remain silent. He continues to do and strive for improvements in the federation so that it continues to develop in the future.

"Don't just celebrate 94 years. I've had interviews with all the media. Of course in my time now I want a change. It was prepared with the foundation system."

"Whoever is the leader who enters, he is already progressive," said Erick Thohir during a press conference in the Central Jakarta area on Friday, April 19, 2024, afternoon WIB.

Erick Thohir, who was officially appointed as PSSI General Chair in 2023 and will serve until 2027. He is determined to create football in a clean and accomplished country.

Efforts to make PSSI better began to be seen from the progress shown by the Indonesian national team in various age groups.

Most recently, there was the U-23 Indonesian national team which won 1-0 from Australia in the group phase of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. If they manage to qualify for the knockout round, it is possible to pave Indonesia's way to the 2024 Paris Olympics which will lead to the 2026 World Cup.

This is clearly a proud positive step. Erick Thohir was also excited to discuss the issue of the Indonesian national team, which could be faster to get the opportunity to appear in the World Cup than the projections he made.

"In the future, I think that if Allah provides an opportunity for us to enter the Olympics, to enter the 2026 World Cup, I think God is very kind to us," he said.

"Actually, our program (PSSI) to FIFA is until 2045. We only have plans to enter the 2036 World Cup. So, if suddenly Allah gives Indonesia the opportunity to enter (World Cup) 2026, thank God," said the chairman of PSSI.

However, Erick Thohir also did not want to be happy. He said that to achieve this big dream there were preparations and sacrifices that had to be made. Including continuing to make improvements in the federation so that Indonesian football will be of higher quality.

"Anyway, we are preparing, don't just think that (grows well), but PR is not carried out every day. It's the same as a false dream," he said.

Also present at the celebration of PSSI's 94th Anniversary were some Indonesian national team legends. Call it Tias Tono Taufik, Elly Idris, Berty Tutuarima, Wahyu Hidayat, Yudo Hadiyanto, Papat Yunisal, Suapri, Ronny Pasha, Nasir Salassa, Nur Alim, Oyong Liza, Mundari Karya, and Aji Ridwan.