PSSI Gives Reasons For Taking The Oath Of Indonesian Citizens Eliano Reijnders And Mees Hilgers To Be Carried Out In Belgium

Mees Hilgers has officially become an Indonesian citizen with Eliano Reijnders (Instagram/@meeshilgerss).

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum) Erick Thohir revealed the reason why Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders underwent the oath of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, September 30, 2024, WIB night. The limited availability of time called Erick Thohir is the main reason.

"Why should it be done in Brussels? Because the two players do not have a time lag if taking the oath must be in Indonesia," said Erick Thohir in an official statement quoted on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

The process of taking the oath of Indonesian citizens who were accelerated could not be separated from the hope that the two of them could immediately join the Indonesian national team as soon as possible.

Especially in the near future, the Garuda Squad will resume its agenda in the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

"We hope that both of them will be able to play when the Indonesian national team competes against Bahrain and China, next October," he said.

Erick said his party had moved swiftly over the past week to speed up the naturalization of the two Dutch players.

He ensured that all parties worked together to make this happen.

"This is the cooperation of all parties. I am proud that all work for Indonesia. Before taking the oath of allegiance to the citizens of Mees and Eliano, it was carried out in Brussels, Belgium, PSSI moved quickly within a week," he said.

"Starting from the discussion at Commission III and X of the DPR. Then, on the same day there was a meeting between the Chairman of PSSI and the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, for the discussion of taking the oath of Indonesian citizens abroad."

"Until the issuance of the Presidential Decree which led to the taking of the oath of Mees and Eliano as Indonesian citizens," said the chairman of PSSI.

Mees Hilgers is currently a FC Twenty player, while Eliano Reijnders is now a PEC Zwolle player.

Mees Hilgers has Indonesian blood from his mother's line. Hilgers' grandfather and grandmother from the mother's line are said to have been born in Indonesia.

After officially becoming Indonesian citizens, Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders are expected to be able to strengthen the Indonesian national team against Bahrain in the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification Group C match.

The schedule for Indonesia vs Bahrain will be held at the Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, on October 10, 2024.

After that, Indonesia will face China at the Qingdao Stadium, on October 15, 2024.