President Joko Widodo appreciates the selection of the players of the U-17 national team

BANDUNG – President Jokowi expressed his appreciation for the selection process of the U-17 Indonesia national football team held at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency, West Java Province on Wednesday (7/12/23).

According to the president, the selection process offers young people from all over the country the opportunity to participate in the under-17 World Cup.

“I think because of these kinds of processes, I have to give credit to the PSSI for providing opportunities for our youth to participate in the U-17 World Cup,” the president told the media team after the review.

The president also considered that the management of PSSI under the leadership of Erick Thohir had changed for the better.

The president also hopes that the U-17 national team will have better achievements in the U-17 World Cup.

“Yes, the first gets to the preliminary round, fortunately to the final, fortunately to the champion,” said the president.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s U-17 national team coach Bima Sakti said in a separate statement that this selection was a continuation of instructions from President Jokowi and PSSI chairman Erick Thohir to provide opportunities for young Indonesian players.

Later, the players of this selection are expected to be able to make up for the shortcomings of the previous U-17 national team.

“We open opportunities for children from all over Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke, to participate in the selection, but with certain criteria, there are certain players who can participate in the selection,” Bima Sakti said.

Bima is grateful that the government pays great attention to football in the country.

This attention is expected to support better football coaching.

“We are very grateful that Mr. President is very concerned about football, especially sports,” he said.

“Then this attention was also joined by Menpora who was also very concerned, then other supports were also very extraordinary so that football development could go well,” Bima said again.

Bima hopes that the momentum of the Under-17 World Cup can motivate young Indonesian players to continue their achievements in the future.

“Hopefully the 2006-2007 kids will become the backbone of the senior national team,” said Bima Sakti.