President Jokowi Opens 2024 President’s Cup Tournament

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo watch the opening match of the 2024 President’s Cup football tournament, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung, West Java province, Friday (07/19). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo Friday (07/19) kicked off West Java working visit.

The President and his entourage traveled from Jakarta to Bandung by Whoosh high-speed train and arrived at Halim Station located in East Jakarta at around 13.40 Western Indonesian Time.

The President and the First Lady proceeded directly to the check-in gate and were seen sitting in the first car of train G5901, which departed promptly at 13:47 Western Indonesian Time from Halim Station to Tegalluar Station.

“In West Java, the President and the First Lady are set to open the 2024 President’s Cup football tournament, scheduled to take place at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung regency,” Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat M. Yusuf Permana said in his written statement.

Upon arrival at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, the President and the First Lady attended the opening match of the 2024 President’s Cup football tournament between Persib Bandung vs PSM Makassar.

In his statement after the match, the President said that participating in numerous competitions would enhance the quality and capabilities of the country’s football teams.

“The more competitions a team participates in, the better. We have competitions in League 1 and League 2, along with SSB and amateur leagues. There are also tournaments organized by FIFA, AFC, and AFF. The more competitions a team participates in, the greater the benefit,” he said.

The Head of State also underscored that football in Indonesia is currently progressing smoothly, adding that the President’s Cup tournament contributes significantly to the number of national football competitions.

“Now I see everything is going well, especially with the President’s Cup. The more competitions there are, the better,” he said.

On that occasion, the President expressed hope for organizing similar competitions in the future, highlighting the importance of sustaining the President’s Cup tournament.

For the record, the 2024 President’s Cup pre-season tournament began with a match of Group A between Persib Bandung and PSM Makassar. Persib Bandung secured their victory with a final score of 2-0. (BPMI/DNS) (RIF/RAS/MMB)