Erick Thohir Nilai Sepak Bola Putri PON Ajang Bangun Kompetisi Sehat

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir (left) attended the women's soccer final match of PON XXI Aceh-Sumut at the Mini Stadium, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Saturday (14/9/2024).

DELI SERDANG - General Chairperson of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir assessed that the XXI National Sports Week (PON), especially women's soccer, is a place to build healthy competitions with adequate facilities.

"There are two positive things, yes. If the regions can build facilities like this (Disporasu Mini Stadium), which does not need luxury but a really adequate facility, it can build healthy competitions. Both for U17, U18, U19, U20, women and others," he said after attending the procession of the Women's Women's Football Award (UPP) Honor Ceremony XXI at the Mini Disporasu Stadium, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Saturday.

The second positive thing, said Erick, was equalization of football throughout Indonesia and was proven by the appearance of the game during PON and during the final between DKI Jakarta and West Java (West Java).

"Secondly, I see the matches are good. Each province, either DKI or West Java, has played football properly. Watch it well. That's the most important thing. So, we hope that equality in women's football can happen later," he said.

Therefore, the future strategy for women's soccer is to compete in the national team first after this PON, later if everything is ready, the league will prepare it.

"Entering the national team first. Some are under U20, U17, and those above. And that's all in the long term. Later until 2026, 2027, if this is ready, we will just prepare the league. Because it is impossible for us to organize a league, but the talent is not ready for the amount. So it is impossible," he said.

In addition, he continued, from the monitoring of the women's soccer coach, Satoru Mochizuki said that he had pocketed two names from his observations while watching the match at this PON.

"The plan is that there will be a training camp in Japan at the end of this month, one month ahead, before visiting several countries. He sees that there are two, if I'm not mistaken, potential ones. Yes, it's still not enough. If possible, what I always say, 150 databases for women," said Erick.

"If there are 50, it has been tested. So now there are 23-30 people," he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Marciano Norman said that the contingents of West Java and DKI Jakarta could be assessed, which in PON Papua were finalists and semifinalists, until now they are still consistent in fostering women's soccer in the province.

"What doesn't exist is Mountains Papua (now a semifinalist). I hope this PON will produce athletes and talents who can fill the Indonesian National Team. So all athletes in the Indonesian national team are athletes who have brought their regional names to PON," he said.

"Thank you to PSSI. And hopefully these athletes can develop and make Indonesia proud," he added.