LIB Recruits J-League Dropout To Fix The Indonesian League

The inauguration of Takeyuki Oya's recruitment as General Manager (GM) Competition and Operation LIB (doc. PT LIB).

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir appreciated PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), which he said was serious about fixing the football league in Indonesia.

A number of LIB policies in the last two years, according to Erick, are in line with PSSI.

"Apresiasi untuk LIB, dalam dua tahun terakhir banyak pembangan baru di liga. PSSI fokus Tim Nasional (Timnas) Indonesia, ini seperti negara di mana pun yang federasi fokus utama adalah tim nasional."

"As the manager of the Indonesian football league, LIB is independent, PSSI only has 1 percent stake."

"So far PSSI and LIB have been going hand in hand to lift the dignity of Indonesian football."

"Among other things, we made a league calendar agreement for the next three years, which supports the Indonesian national team," said the chairman of PSSI on the sidelines of the PT LIB General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS), Monday, July 7, 2025, Jakarta.

Erick further, LIB and PSSI continued to push for improvements by implementing VAR last year, also this year for Liga 2.

In fact, in many countries where the second level league has not used VAR, including the Championship in England where Oxford United played.

"I also appreciate that the league has made many changes, one of which is that we are both building a regulatory system."

"In PSSI there is already Ogawa, next year we will use foreign referees, but no more than 30 percent."

"This is so that local referees can also increase. Now we are recruiting and supervising," he said.

Most recently, continued Erick, LIB recruited Takeyuki Oya who was appointed as General Manager (GM) Competition and Operation LIB.

"This is a new breakthrough made by LIB by recruiting outsiders from Japan, who have had experience managing J-League (Japan League) for 16 years. Oya's presence is to continue to improve the quality of our league."

"I believe in the process, we will give Oya the opportunity to work. Don't always ask for results even though it's only been a month of work."

"All that takes time. However, what LIB did today was good. Are there individuals who are happy or unhappy? Yes, that's part of democracy."

"However, I believe the transformation that occurred in the league was not due to pressure, but the awareness conveyed earlier by Oya, the potential is extraordinary," he said.

"He (Tekeyuki Oya) can see that potential. If our nation does not see that potential, there is something wrong with us."

"Secondly, earlier why did he choose to be in Indonesia even though he had many offers. Commitment, especially from the Indonesian government, is serious about improving football."

"PSSI has a commitment, LIB has a commitment. Well, this is what we hope for. People, supporters, all have the same commitment to provide opportunities for our football to be built," he said again.