SOME MAIN CHALLENGES
Considered the most appropriate figure in his new position, Erick Thohir is now faced with various challenges, especially the issue of match schedules, coaching young players and developing the quality of referees.
Justinus said, “If we talk about Indonesian football, there are many problems in terms of talent development, infrastructure, scheduling. There are lots of problems that need to be resolved.
“If Erick Thohir can fix even half of it, I think that would be very good, because the problem of Indonesian football is very broad. So it is almost impossible to complete it in four years.”
He added that what should be a priority is organizing the league schedule, developing young players and improving the quality of referees.
“If he can do that, it will be very good for the future of the Indonesian football league.”
The president of the Bali United football club, Yabes Tanuri, explained to CNA how match scheduling requires extra attention.
“The schedule is problematic — the certainty of the match schedule. If the schedule is not clear, it will be difficult for teams to prepare, practice and rent fields. “There are so many people affected,” said Yabes.
He gave an example, schedule changes have occurred several times in the English Premier League, but the relevant parties are usually notified a month in advance, unlike in Indonesia.
In Indonesia, most football clubs do not have stadiums and have to rent premises owned by the local government. The competition schedule must also be arranged in such a way that it does not collide with other events at the same location.
According to PSSI regulations, the match schedule must be determined two weeks before implementation, but changes can be made at least seven days beforehand. When this last scenario occurs, clubs are clearly struggling to rent space.
Meanwhile, the commissioner and manager of the Bandung Indonesian Football Association (Persib), Umuh Muchtar, highlighted the issue of referee quality.
According to Umuh, referees must be more objective. “Hopefully Erick can handle this. And he can make firm and accurate decisions, and if possible, also buy a VAR (video assistant referee). If there is VAR the referee can no longer do whatever he wants.”
Djadjang Nurdjaman, former coach of several big Indonesian clubs such as Persib and Persebaya Surabaya, agrees.
“The problems are many. Starting from the competition schedule which is far from good, too tight and often changes, to the quality of the referees, and much more.
“But what is most urgent to improve is the quality of competition and development of young players, because in Southeast Asia alone we cannot win against Thailand and Vietnam,” said Djadjang.
Erick Thohir and President Jokowi are well aware of these problems.
In line with the talk of moving the capital to Kalimantan, namely to an area which is planned to be called Nusantara, a football training center will also be built there.
“PSSI’s football field will be built soon and is expected to be completed in no more than one year,” said Jokowi, accompanied by Erick Thohir, when visiting the prospective new capital city in East Kalimantan on February 24. According to Jokowi, the construction of the field will be funded by FIFA.
The President also said that 22 football stadiums had been audited following the tragedy last October in Malang.
According to Jokowi, of the 22 stadiums, five stadiums were declared seriously damaged — four stadiums needed rehabilitation and one had to be demolished.
The President added that the rest were considered moderately or lightly damaged, and a series of renovations needed to be carried out.
Jokowi also said that Kanjuruhan Stadium, the location of the tragedy in Malang, was still in the process of being redesigned before a complete overhaul could begin.
