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In search of soccer glory
Erick became a sort of continental poster boy for making the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang a success.
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State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir (in red jacket) arrives at the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) office in GBK Arena, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Jan. 15, 2023, as he is joining the race to chair the sport federation. (Kompas.com/Ahmad Zilky)
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occer is a magnet. The gravity of it in luring fans and masses is enormous. Unsurprisingly, the race for the chief post of the beleaguered Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is a convenient stepping stone for some who aim big in the 2024 elections.
At least five figures have shown interest in the PSSI top job, with two of them considered the real contenders due to their portfolio in sports and the national politics.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir, dubbed a potential candidate in the 2024 presidential election, has announced his bid to lead PSSI.
Erick’s track record in sports is proven. He is an active member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and board member of world basketball body FIBA Asia. Previously, he took the role of chief of National Olympic Committee (NOC) Indonesia (2011-2015) and had a vast experience in soccer club managements, including as the president of Italian giant Inter Milan (2013-2018), owner of Major League Soccer team DC United (2012-2018) and a treasurer of Indonesia’s top flight Persija Jakarta in early 2000s.
In 2018, Erick became a sort of continental poster boy for making the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, a success.
Erick’s toughest rival will be La Nyalla Mattalitti, the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) speaker and former PSSI boss. As a seasoned politician, businessman and key player in the country’s world of soccer, his connection with the sport’s stakeholders is a big capital to reclaim the PSSI chief post.
La Nyalla led the PSSI in 2015-2016. During his brief term the world soccer body FIFA banned the national team from international competitions due government intervention in PSSI. The government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, through sports minister Imam Nahrawi, froze PSSI as a result of a conflict between the two.
Erick is now listed as co-owner of Persis Solo along with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep. Persis plays in the country’s top league Liga 1, while La Nyalla is not officially affiliated to any club.
The remaining three possible contestants are soccer pundit and promoter Arif Putra Wicaksono, CEO of amateur league Bandung Premier League Doni Setiabudi and politician Fary Djami Francis, who is also PSSI’s former head of sport intelligence.
In the race for PSSI deputy chief post, Youth and Sports Minister Zainuddin Amali is among the possible 17 candidates.
The PSSI change of guard comes on the heels of the deadly stampede that killed 135 fans, one of the worst in soccer history, in Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java. The tragedy has added a burden to the federation, which already has a bad name in running leagues and developing talents.
The new PSSI boss will face an immediate challenge of ensuring the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in May and June to run well. However, going forward, the PSSI chief has a lot more things to do.
First is soccer development. The federation needs a systematic and sustainable training program with clear targets, from youth to senior levels. That includes overseas outing and exposure to competitions. The basic of such a program is consistency in providing talents with a coaching team that can develop the players’ skills and mentality.
Second, competitions. In order to build skillful players with champion mentality, talents need to play in stable domestic competitions. Leagues are desperately needed, from age-group to professional clubs.
Third, and most importantly, PSSI needs to focus on the sport.
Politics is impossible to get rid of in the race for the PSSI chief post. However, for the sake of the national soccer’s future, PSSI needs strong leadership that can manage the federation in a professional manner so as to produce a glorious soccer team.
