Ministry Of Youth And Sports Does Not Prohibit Shin Tae-yong From Holding Indonesian National Team Training Center In Korea, PSSI?

Indonesian National Team Coach, Shin Tae-yong (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The desire of the Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, to bring his foster children to South Korea is already known to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora). Kemenpora does not prohibit, but hopes that the training camp (TC) for the national team will remain in Indonesia.

This was conveyed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gatot S Dewabroto. According to him, it did not close the opportunity for the South Korean coach to do TC in his home country. However, there are conditions that must be met.

"It needs to be straightened out, that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has never prohibited Shin Tae-yong's wishes. It's just that, because PSSI has not provided a justification for the reasons why it should go to South Korea," said Gatot in his official statement to the media.

Gatot reiterated that Kemenpora invited the Indonesian national team to continue training in Korea. It's just that Kemenpora is just waiting for the justification.

In fact, Gatot emphasized, Kemenpora is ready to help PSSI if it is difficult to prepare justifications if it is audited at any time.

"Kemenpora will help with the formulation,"

Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gatot S Dewabroto

Gatot admitted that he had not communicated directly. He wants to convey the commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian government to support the coach in preparing the team for the purpose of increasing achievement at the U-20 World Cup.

Menpora Zainuddin Amali, continued Gatot, always encouraged PSSI to be more careful, strategic, and comprehensive in preparing the national team for the U-20 World Cup. This is because the preparation time has been cut short due to, among other things, the outbreak of COVID-19.

"This is not an easy job, but public expectations are high so that the national team can excel in the U-20 World Cup," concluded Gatot.

PSSI's attitude

Shin Tae-yong's hopes of holding a training camp in South Korea are unlikely to come true. PSSI Executive Committee member, Endri Erawan, revealed that Shin Tae-yong's presence was needed to train the U-19 and senior Indonesian national team.

"So if one of the teams is taken to a training camp to South Korea, of course one of them will not be held up," said Endri in a press conference held on Thursday, June 18.

He added that PSSI is currently looking for a green zone for training camp locations other than Jakarta. Bali or Yogyakarta can be options.

"Because at that time coach Shin Tae-yong gave a plan in his training program, if not in South Korea, in Jakarta," he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the National Team Task Force, Syarif Bastaman, asked Shin Tae-yong not to negotiate with the location of the TC. He emphasized the coach to obey PSSI's orders.

He also questioned Shin Tae-yong's reason for wanting to hold a TC in Korea because in Indonesia cases of COVID-19 continue to increase.

"Is there no COVID-19 in Korea? There is also a whole world," he said.