2024 President's Cup And MSME Obstacle-Free Hope

MSME actors get facilities to open businesses in the Manahan Stadium area, Solo, during the 2024 Presidential Cup. (Gonang Susatyo)

SOLO - Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) received a privilege in organizing the 2024 Presidential Cup. MSME players, especially culinary, have the opportunity to meet consumers who are none other than football spectators at the stadium.

The President's Cup is increasingly synonymous with MSMEs. At this year's pre-season tournament, MSME players are still not abandoned. They get facilities as well as the ease of 'opening the basis' inside the stadium.

This is very tempting because so far the stadium has always been sterile from hawkers. When there is no match, MSME players who only have a turnover of several hundred thousand rupiahs a day are allowed to enter the stadium.

Those, who are mostly culinary players, provide food or drink for people who are active in sports. Do not miss angkringan traders, food providers, fried foods and drinks ranging from ginger, tea to coffee saucet.

At Manahan Stadium, Solo, for example, MSME players can enter the area when there is no match. However, if Persis Solo holds a home match or another team that uses the stadium to entertain their opponents, the traders are forced to step aside.

"We are indeed not allowed to sell or the term is open based on the stadium area when there is a match. The area must be sterile. On the other hand, if there is no match, we usually sell in the area within the Manahan area," said Valendra Toha Maulana, who opened a coffee shop Paseban coffee business in the Manahan area.

However, according to him, MSME players actually get convenience during the 2024 Presidential Cup. They can still run a business within the Manahan area. For Valendra, the convenience or provision of this facility is like a freeway for MSMEs to reach consumers.

"We are very happy with the policy. It's like a toll road for MSMEs like us. The reason is, we don't encounter obstacles and this brings us closer to consumers. They don't have to leave the stadium just for coffee or food before or during the break," Valendra said.

MSME Kopi Paseban is a small business unit of the Solo Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) cooperative. So far, they have opened a business in the Manahan area by targeting consumers who exercise or just traveling in Manahan.

"When there was the 2024 President's Cup, we were ready to find a location to ground but only temporarily. But we were then contacted by the tournament organizers. We were offered to open a business during the tournament. Of course we are happy. How not, if there is a football match, it is certain that the turnover will increase," said Valendra, who admitted that the increase in turnover from selling coffee could reach 100% during the 2024 President's Cup.

The perpetrators of the Twee 'Ntea MSMEs were also splashed with sustenance because they received free passes in the Manahan area during the semifinals and finals of the 2024 President's Cup. According to Nanda, the owner of the tea business with the variant, dimsum, zappa soup, the facilities provided by MSMEs make them reach more consumers.

Moreover, this culinary actor is right on target because football audiences always need drinks. They did not stop singing and shouted for support to the competing team.

"In the semifinals of the 2024 President's Cup, it happened that Persis Solo competed. It was like they played at home because supporters came to the stadium. If there was Persis, my merchandise sold well," said Nanda laughing.

Nanda said that if the situation was crowded, the turnover could reach 700 thousand to 1 million rupiah. However, when Persis competed, he earned 1.5 million rupiah before deducting various expenses and purchasing materials or capital.

"We really support the policy for MSMEs when organizing football tournaments like this is maintained. This really helps us. Moreover, the requirement to open a business during the 2024 Presidential Cup is very easy. We are grateful because there is attention for MSME actors like us," he said.

Chairman of the 2024 Presidential Cup Steering Committee Maruarar Sirait said that his party did provide opportunities for MSME players to participate in the form of opening a business in the stadium area. According to him, this step was taken as an effort to improve and develop MSMEs.

"This is in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction that MSMEs must be encouraged to advance and provide benefits. And, MSMEs do provide great benefits because they meet the needs of spectators who come to the stadium," said Maruarar.

Yes, MSMEs provide direct benefits to spectators at the stadium so that culinary products that have the opportunity to open businesses in the stadium.

Not only coffee shops with modern food trucks or traditional models such as angkringan, but small procurement businesses such as French fries, takoyaki, bread to chilies and rolled eggs are available for those watching the match.

"This is a consideration why MSMEs around stadiums have more culinary products. The same is true for Bandung or Bali. There are also more culinary MSME products available," he said.

"But especially everyone is happy. Happy viewers can watch quality matches. MSMEs are also happy," he said.

Giving opportunities to MSMEs to participate in the 2024 Presidential Cup has actually become an important step in developing micro-enterprises, which really needs support from the government and other parties.

However, this participation does not just provide a place for MSME players when there is a football event. Batik MSMEs, for example, can be collaborated with football stakeholders by providing team formal uniforms.

However, the breakthrough of the President's Cup by cooperating with MSMEs is indeed an impressive step and deserves to be maintained. Maruarar has also confirmed that the concept will be maintained in the President's Cup.