President's Cup a Turning Point for Indonesian Football: Jokowi
March 13, 2017 | 4:11 pm
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he was optimistic the football scene in Indonesia is about to turn a corner after witnessing the final of the 2017 President's Cup at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday (12/03), which ended with a victory for Arema Malang over Pusamania Borneo.
The tournament has been held twice — the first time in 2015 — and Jokowi had also attended the opening match of this year's tournament in February. On Sunday, the president came to the match with Police Chief Tito Karnavian, Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Edy Rahmayadi and national team coach Luis Milla Aspas.
Under Jokowi's regime, Indonesian football has been given more support from the government, with the PSSI reforming itself in the past two years.
Jokowi once said football is the biggest entertainment sport in Indonesia and one of the few things that can unite the diverse nation.
The president praised PSSI chairman Edy for making the second President's Cup a big success. "I hope this can be a turning point for Indonesian football," he said.
Tags: Keywords: