President Jokowi Enjoys Playing Football with NTT Residents

President Jokowi plays football with residents of Batu Cermin Village, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, NTT, Monday (12/04). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat’s Information, Media, and Press Bureau/Muchlis Jr)

The Wae Kesambi Football Field in Batu Cermin Village, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province was busy with people on Monday (12/04). People were gathering to watch a football match between residents.

That afternoon, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo joined the residents of Batu Cermin Village to play football. The President, wearing a sports shirt with the back number 22, together with the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono with the back number 14, entered the match field amidst drizzling rain.

The President’s presence also added enthusiasm to the players and the public who watched the match live. In the match, President and Minister Basuki acted as goalkeepers on different teams.

In the 10th minute, Minister Basuki’s team managed to penetrate the President’s goal defense. However, not long after that, President Jokowi’s team managed to equalize the score 1-1 by scoring a goal back and maintaining the score until the match was over.

Huber, the player who managed to penetrate President Jokowi’s goal defense, said that he was very enthusiastic and proud to be able to play football with the President and managed to score a goal against him.

“We are very proud to be able to play with the President,” said Huber after the match.

“I’m very proud. Mr. President is so great at guarding Indonesia, but he failed to guard his goal. I scored a goal, I’m enthusiastic—I’m happy,” he continued, laughing happily.

Another player, Mikael, considered that the football match in which the President participated was a very rare moment. He said he was very happy to be able to play football with the President.

“Legendary world-famous players who can reach international level here may not ever have any chance to play with the President,” he said.

Furthermore, in his statement after the match, the Head of State said that the match was a friendly match. He also felt that all the players were happy and played with high sportsmanship.

“It’s raining, but most importantly, everyone is happy and sportsmanlike—that’s the most important thing. I think the players were all happy and showed sportsmanship. My team has to concede 1 goal but we managed to save 2,” he stressed.

Also joining the President in the match were Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Acting Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Ayodhia Kalake, and Regent of West Manggarai Edistasius Endi. (Presidential Secretariat’s Information, Media, and Press Bureau/AIT) (TM/LW)