JAKARTA - The technical director of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Indra Sjafri believes that football is not just a matter of winning or losing.
He conveyed this when he was a speaker at a webinar on Early Childhood Football Development organized by the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Islamic Da'wah Institute (LDII) on Sunday, August 29.
"Football is not just about winning and losing. However, the qualities and values of character must be built in football. The defeat that has been fought in a good way, that is the true victory. But on the other hand, if victory is achieved in a bad way, then that is a real defeat," said Indra Sjafri, quoted by Antara.
Furthermore, he also explained that football is only for physical and mental training of the players but can be used as a place to carry out da'wah.
“I coached the team as well as preached there. Seen, the Indonesian players after winning, some of them do a prostration of gratitude. These are religious symbols displayed by the Indonesian national team generation," said Indra.
Indra continued to say that LDII has succeeded in producing great players and playing in the Indonesian national team such as Budi Sudarsono, David Maulana and Syahrian Abimanyu.
The former coach of the Indonesian U-19 national team further hoped that LDII could make coaching courses in each province aimed at making Indonesia's young generation proficient in soccer.
“LDII has fielded players who have played for the Indonesian national team. Among them, Budi Sudarsono, David Maulana, Abhimanyu and others. I hope more Indonesian players are born from LDII,” said the 58-year-old coach.
“I hope that in the future LDII will make training courses in every province. If this is realized, I believe the younger generation of Indonesia will be proficient in football. This is what other countries, like Japan, are doing."
In addition to Indra Sjafri, LDII's role in producing the best footballers in Indonesia was also appreciated by Deputy 3 for Sport Cultivation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Raden Isnanta.
“Many of Indonesia's best players were born from LDII. In order to achieve high achievements, sports, especially football, must be fostered, from an early age to become a professional player," said Raden Isnanta.
"Alhamdulillah, LDII really cares about football and finally gave birth to outstanding footballers," he continued.
General Secretary of DPP LDII Dody Taufik Wijaya said early soccer coaching at LDII includes physical, mental and spiritual development.
According to Dody, the webinar on early childhood soccer development is a bilhal da'wah from LDDI for a real contribution to the Indonesian nation.
“Previously, we appreciated the resource persons who wanted to share their knowledge in football development for the younger generation. This is LDII's bilhal da'wah, aka a real contribution to the nation," said Doddy.
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