Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After Meeting with Players of the 2023 U-20 Indonesian Football Team, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, April 1, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I am here at Gelora Bung Karno this afternoon to encourage the U-20 team so that they do not feel disappointed and despair any longer. I said earlier that in the future we want to have a team that is built continuously and sustainably from the start, so we can have a national team that is truly prepared. The U-20 team are still young and still have many opportunities. Later they can play at the SEA Games, the Asian Games, AFF, or the 2024 Olympics. I believe there is still a long way to go. So, I told them not to be discouraged.

Reporter
(Inaudible)

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I received a letter yesterday from the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino. And, I have ordered the Chairperson of PSSI to prepare a blueprint, a roadmap for the transformation of Indonesian football to be submitted to FIFA soon, and also to communicate continuously with FIFA, both with the President of FIFA and with the Council so that we can avoid sanctions from FIFA. And I hope that the PSSI Chairperson, Mr. Erick Thohir, will be able to fly again to FIFA, to Zurich, within these months, to convey what I said earlier. Thank you.

Reporter
(Inaudible)

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Coach Shin Tae-yong has said earlier that there are still weak spots that need to be addressed, both on the physical aspects and a little on the skill-related components. However, it is clear that there is already a very basic improvement in terms of skills so that Coach Shin believes that they are ready to join a competition.

Reporter
Is there any compensation for the team… (inaudible)?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I have asked the players if there is anything they wish for. Some of them want to go to college. Some want to join the Police, military or civil servants. That’s it. Thank you.

(AY/MUR)