PSSI Management Must Be Ready To Stay Up All Night If The Minister Of BUMN Is Elected As Chairman

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (center). (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA – SOE Minister Erick Thohir said his team must be prepared not to sleep if elected as General Chair of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) for the 2023–2027 period.

Erick will later compete with four other general chairman candidates at the Extraordinary Congress (KLB) on February 16. The other four names that are running are Arief Putra Wicaksono, Doni Setiabudi, Fary Djemi Francis, and LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti.

"I always form a strong team. Whoever my team will be at PSSI, ready to stay awake," said Erick while attending Perbasi's national work meeting at the Atlet Century Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

"Just call me at half past twelve in the evening. I'm still answering. So don't be surprised if I call on Saturday and Sunday to have a meeting," added the 52-year-old figure.

Indonesia's national football has started to be hit by problems since the Kanjuruhan tragedy, Malang, 1 October 2022. This incident caused the Indonesian League 1 competition to be stopped before being resumed.

However, Liga 2 experienced a more tragic fate. The second caste has not been continued until now and will be recommended to a new administrator later.

Erick said that the problems facing Indonesian football today are quite complex. However, he is confident that he can fix this if he becomes the number one person in the national football parent.

"But I believe, with good intentions, with a strong team and I have proven that I can improve SOEs in three years," said the former president of Inter Milan and owner of DC United.

An extraordinary congress for the election of the general chairman, deputy chairman, and members of the executive committee will be held on February 16. However, until now the location of the congress is not yet known.

In addition to the five general chairman candidates, there are 16 vice chairman candidates and 55 executive committee member candidates (Exco) who will compete. Later, as many as 15 people will occupy the ranks of the Exco, with details of one general chairperson, two deputy chairmen, and 12 members.