Deputy Minister Of Youth And Sports Taufik Hidayat Sentil PSSI

Wamenpora Taufik Hidayat (left) did not see PSSI representatives at the 48th Asian School Football U-18 Championship 2024 (doc. Kemenpora) event.

JAKARTA The absence of PSSI representatives in a press statement related to the 48th Asian School Football U-18 Championship (ASFC) 2024 was flicked by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports (Wamenpora), Taufik Hidayat.

The 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist became one of the speakers at the event. He was present with Deputy IV for Achievement Improvement at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Surono, and Chief Executive of ASFC 2024, Luhur Dewantono

When given the opportunity to speak, Taufik started by looking for representatives from the national football parent, who on that occasion none of them were present.

"This PSSI has a lot of management, it should be here because it is related to the age group because these are future athletes who will later join the senior team," said Taufik after asking about PSSI representatives.

"So, I hope we don't just become organizers. They know and (should) see the athletes that this is the level of the national team's future athlete (Indonesia)," said Taufik again.

The 2024 48th Asian School Football U-18 Championship (ASFC) tournament will last for nine days on 1-9 November 2024 in Solo, Central Java.

A total of five teams took part in the event. Indonesia as the host deployed two teams, while the remaining participants were China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Taufik hopes that the players who play in this event have good progress. He also wants the two Indonesian teams involved to be able to give maximum performances.

"We always see that it doesn't just become a place to participate. This must be an achievement event. Moreover, the President is very concerned about the development of Indonesian sports," he said.

The two Indonesian teams that will play in this event are Indonesia Merah and the Indonesian and White team.

The players who filled the two squads were the result of selection from the Elite Pro Academy (EPA), Special Sports School (SKO), and Student Sports Education and Training Center (PPLP).