TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Your letters: Indonesian soccer is sick
Soccer mania: Thousands of soccer fans demonstrate on Tuesday in front of the State Palace, calling on President Joko âJokowiâ Widodo to end a soccer dispute, following the freeze of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) by Youths and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
S
span class="caption">Soccer mania: Thousands of soccer fans demonstrate on Tuesday in front of the State Palace, calling on President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to end a soccer dispute, following the freeze of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) by Youths and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi. JP/DON
I refer to an article entitled, 'Indonesia issued with FIFA warning,' (The Jakarta Post, May 06).
I think it would be better for FIFA to suspend the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI), a long-sick soccer association. Why is the PSSI sick? The PSSI has not gained a good reputation in the last few decades because of corrupt officials in its body. What they want is money, power and to politicize the association.
The FIFA suspension might be a good way to improve the running of this pride of Indonesia, which has been the national pride of Indonesian soccer maniacs since the 1980s.
Why let the 'oldies' continue to manage the PSSI? I would suggest that KONI help the PSSI choose the most credible chairmen who are clean of any vested interests in order to be professional in managing PSSI activities. Don't worry about the suspension. FIFA has not been able to help the PSSI improve our performance in order to be a well-reputed soccer nation in international competitions. What they want is money from the regular fees collected from soccer associations and nothing else. Without FIFA we could run domestic soccer competitions first and then, when everything runs well, we'll propose that the PSSI be an internationally recognized federation and participate in international competitions.
Don't panic over the letter La Nyalla Mattalitti delivered. If we are punished or not there would be no effect on the reputation of our soccer in the future. The PSSI must be lead by credible people, not because of money. There are still many problem people in the organization, but the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) and the government would be serious about tackling this problem if Jokowi got involved.
It is hoped that those who are serious and committed to save the PSSI would be able to find a good solution. Save the PSSI!
Hot Saud
Jakarta
