4 Important Messages From President Joko Widodo For PSSI

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir (center). (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir received four important messages from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to encourage the development of Indonesian football.

Erick revealed the contents of the message while attending a workshop with 34 provincial associations (Asprov) at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

"Mr. President encourages several things. The first is the President asking the Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to revise the rules for the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) that can be used for League 3," said Erick Thohir.

Jokowi's request to the Minister of Home Affairs was conveyed during a meeting at the Bogor Palace regarding the transformation of football. The regulation requesting revision is Permendagri Number 1 of 2011.

The regulation states that Indonesian professional clubs cannot use APBD funds. This Permendagri was signed by the current Minister of Home Affairs, Gamawan Fauzi on May 23, 2011.

In addition, President Jokowi asked the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, to allocate special funds starting next year for field repairs in villages.

"Mr. President also sits together between the Ministry of Finance and Villages for there is also an allocation of funds for next year how it can be facilitated for access to improved soccer fields in villages," said Erick Thohir.

The third point is that the President wants scholarships from the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) to start at the age of 14. This scholarship can be used by football athletes.

"Third, the Ministry of Finance together with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture are also asked to prepare an athlete's LPDP. Where it can start at the age of 14, this certainly has something to do with football. Of course, access to LPDP funds can be used for football," said Erick.

The fourth point is, PSSI and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud-Ristek) are ready to create a program to increase the number of referees and football coaches in Indonesia.

Later, these referees and coaches will be prepared from sports teachers at schools who will be assigned according to their respective strata.

"Fourth, we will synchronize with the Ministry of Education to create a program to multiply the number of referees and coaches. This means that sports teachers in Indonesia who are interested in becoming coaches or football referees will be registered and trained with FIFA," said Erick.