Arema FC President Gilang Widya Has Officially Resigned

JAKARTA - President Arema FC Gilang Widya Pramana officially resigned from his position. He left his position after more than a year there.

This decision was conveyed by Gilang at a press conference at Arema FC headquarters on Saturday, October 29. He said goodbye to focus on his family.

"I've tried to give all the best for the club but maybe the club needs a better person. That's why I decided to step down as President of Arema FC starting today," he said.

Gilang has held the position of President Arema FC since June 6, 2021. In his first year he successfully led the team nicknamed Singo Edan to become the President's Cup champion.

However, his journey with Arema ended unsatisfactoryly because the tragedy of Kanjuruhan on October 1 took 135 lives. This incident left trauma that made him withdraw.

Gilang's resignation was announced after meeting with Arema FC management. He conveyed his intention to officially resign at the meeting and at the same time say goodbye.

"I want to focus more on taking care of my family and returning to my activities outside of football so that they can contribute to Indonesia," he said.

Gilang ensured that he would continue to support the victim's family even though he had resigned from his position. Gilang realized the aid since the first day of the incident.

The assistance included the Crisis Center in Kandang Singa to provide a quick response to the victims' families. The process of physical and mental recovery of the players and officials is also in his attention.

"So much I want to do, but the position of President Arema FC is an honorary position that does not have a legal standing. This position was given to me by PT AABBI, the owner of Arema FC, because my company is one of the sponsors and small investors," he said.

The incident in Kanjuruhan has made the league competition in Indonesia vacuum to this moment. PSSI in its latest statement confirmed that it will accelerate the extraordinary congress (KLB) in the near future to restore national football.