Tokcer Bersama Timnas Indonesia, Pelatih STY Proposed To Get An Honorary Title Of Indonesian Citizens

Indonesian National Team Coach Shin Tae Yong (STY) (ANTARA)

Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae Yong (STY) is proposed to get an honorary Indonesian citizen title because he is considered to have made history for the Indonesian football national team to enter the semifinals at the Qatar U-23 Asian Cup and now has a great chance of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Mi6 Social and Political Studies Institute in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) proposed that STY receive an honorary citizen title from Indonesia. An award that is only given to people who have great services to the world, especially Indonesia.

"Coach" STY has written history for Indonesian football which will be remembered forever. With extraordinary vision, dedication, and leadership. STY has proven that a big dream can be realized," said Director of Mi6 Bambang Mei Finarwanto accompanied by the Board of Founders of Mi6, Hendra Kesumah and Secretary of Mi6, Lalu Athari Fathullah quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, April 28.

Participating for the first time in the U23 Asian Cup, Indonesia is now becoming the world's attention. The Indonesian national team qualified for the semifinals after overthrowing the South Korean Asian football giant.

The Indonesian national team now has the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics by pocketing a playoff ticket and will face Guinea, one of the African representatives. In fact, if the Indonesian national team is able to qualify for the U23 Asian Cup final, then Indonesia will automatically qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, a high-level achievement that has not been achieved before since Indonesia's independence.

Bambang Mei Finarwanto said, actually every time he played, the Indonesian national team not only represented the country, but also represented the hopes and dreams of all people. That is why high appreciation deserves to be given to the STY coach.

"The success of the national team is not only a victory for the team, but also a victory for the whole country. That's why we think Mi6, STY's "Coach" deserves the title of Honorary Citizen," he said.

The former Regional Executive of WALHI NTB for two terms emphasized that the proposal for high appreciation to the STY coach was not intended to create discrimination in the world of Indonesian sports. Considering that in other sports, Indonesia's achievements are no less towering.

However, he said, soccer sports have distinctive characteristics. Because, high achievements in football, especially by the national team, have a strong ability to unite people from various backgrounds. That is why the success of the football national team is often seen as a proud national achievement. Triggering a sense of patriotism and a strong national identity among all citizens.

That is why, victory in this sport, brings pride and pleasure to many people. And this is what is happening throughout the Indonesian people today. The working trial for the presidential election dispute has just ended, been forgotten, and the public celebrates the success of the national team together as a nation.

"The big achievement in football can divert people's attention from political issues that are heating up even though. The joy and positive spirit that occurred during the celebration of this national team victory can increase the happiness and psychological well-being of the community as a whole," he said.

"Coach" STY has made our nation proud," he continued.

In the history of football, the title of honorary citizen was received by Guus Hiddink from the South Korean government, for his achievements which led the South Korean national team to become the third place in the 2002 World Cup.

Of course, appreciation to STY's "Coach" continued Lalu Athari, not only must come from the state alone. It can also come from various circles. He, for example, encouraged local governments to give appreciation. For example, by capturing STY's name as the name of the stadium.

"Apresiasi juga layak diberikan kalangan dunia usaha. Seperti Guus Hiddink, atas prestasinya, dia mendapat tiket gratis dari maskapai penerbangan selama usia, ketika mau datang ke Korea Selatan. Hal serupa, bisa diberikan kepada STY, ketika pelatih asal Korea Selatan berketan ke Indonesia," ujar Athari.

Meanwhile, the Board of Founders of Mi6, Hendra Kesumah, added that football has a unique ability to unite people from various backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and political views. The achievement of the national team is often a focus point that unites the community in Indonesia's diversity.

"The high achievement of national football is an opportunity to increase our national unity, happiness and identity as Indonesia," he said.