President Jokowi Confers Order of Merit on FIFA President

President Jokowi confers the Order of Merit (Bintang Jasa Pratama) to FIFA President Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (11/10). (Source: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (11/10) at the State Palace in Jakarta conferred Order of Merit (Bintang Jasa Pratama) to FIFA President Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino.

In his statement after receiving the award, Giovanni expressed gratitude for the honor given by the President.

“I’d like to express my deepest thanks to the President, the Minister and Chairperson of the PSSI [Indonesian Football Association], my friend Erick Thohir. This is an honor and an emotion that I share with the entire global football community, the global football teams, the team sports, and Indonesia is a football-loving country,” Giovanni said.

Giovanni also stated that the hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in Indonesia could build optimism for Indonesia to be a leading country in football, not only in Southeast Asia but also in Asia and the whole world.

“Indonesia has the capacity, the willingness, and the passion and it will be our duty and responsibility to work with the Government and the federation to ensure that football grows and enhances the public’s love for football in this beautiful country,” said Giovanni.

Giovanni also underscored the importance of having a national training center that supports the technical development of Indonesian football, including the national training center located in Indonesia’s new capital of Nusantara (IKN).

“When we have talents like Indonesia does, it is also important to ensure that we have a technical training center within an academy where young players can come together,” Giovanni said.

“Our best technical experts come and work together to ensure that the best players can play together, contribute together, and shine on the international stage. It’s a very important project financed by the FIFA Forward Program,” he added.

Earlier, President Jokowi at the State Palace in Jakarta before the award ceremony also welcomed FIFA delegation accompanied by PSSI Chairperson Erick Thohir. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (AS/RS/EP)