How PSSI Treats The Longing Of Indonesian U-22 National Team Players Who Can't Lebaran In Hometown

Indonesia U-22 National Team Coach for the 2023 SEA Games, Indra Sjafri. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA The U-22 Indonesian national team coach, Indra Sjafri, ensured that the families of players participating in the 2023 SEA Games preparations would be invited by PSSI to come to Jakarta during the Eid holiday later.

The invitation followed the direction of PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir after the players were confirmed not to have an Eid holiday. Their parents will be brought in until the team's departure to the biennial event.

"So, the direction of the General Chair (PSSI) to bring their families during Lebaran to release them to go to the SEA Games," said Indra Sjafri at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Sunday, April 16 evening.

Indra said that the plan was for the players' parents to be invited to come to Jakarta after the first Eid.

"The first and second stages of his family will stay in their village and then we will bring them to (Hotel) Sultan until the team departs," he said.

The players of the Indonesian U-22 national team did not receive the Eid holiday because they had to prepare themselves to welcome the 2023 Cambodian SEA Games which will start on May 5.

Although it will only take place early next month, football has started to be held on April 29. Indonesia will also play the inaugural group stage match against the Philippines on that date.

"So I will talk to the players, ask them for their understanding that this Lebaran is not a holiday because the risk is that not all players in their hometown are affordable," said Indra.

Indonesia has been fasting for 32 years for gold medals from football at this biennial event. The last time Garuda won the event was in 1991 when this event took place was in the Philippines.

That is the second gold for Indonesia in the history of multi-sports in the Southeast Asian region. Indonesia won one other gold medal in 1987 in Jakarta.