President Jokowi Pins Hope On New PSSI Chief to Reform Indonesian Football

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivers a press statement upon the inauguration of the 2023 IIMS Automotive Exhibition on Thursday (16/02). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed hope that the new Chief of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir will make a total reform to the Indonesian football.

“We hope that the new Chief will bring about a total reform. This is what we hope,” the President said after inaugurating the 2023 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) Automotive Exhibition, Thursday (16/02).

The Head of State also expressed hope that the association’s new Executive Committee would bring betterment for Indonesian football.

“I hope our football will thrive and at least, for the first step, we can perform well in Southeast Asia. For the next step, I hope we can do well in Asia. That is the only hope of the Government,” the President said, adding that the Government did not intervene in the extraordinary congress.

“The Government did not intervene. It was held based on the statutes,” he added.

Previously, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir was elected Chief of PSSI during the association’s extraordinary congress held in Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (16/02).

The former owner and chairperson of Italian football giant Inter Milan and US soccer club D.C. United took the helm of the association after pocketing 64 votes out of a total of 86 votes.

PSSI is the governing body of football in Indonesia. Founded on 19 April 1930, PSSI joined the Asian Football Confederation in 1954 and FIFA in 1952.  (FID/TGH/GUN/SM) (AY/EP)