Erick Thohir Pushes the Indonesian League to Become the Best Competition in Southeast Asia

– Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, is determined to push the Indonesian League (League 1) to become the best competition in Southeast Asia. This statement was made by Erick Thohir while attending the inauguration ceremony of the collaboration between Asiana Soccer School and the elite Japanese League club, Cerezo Osaka.

“In my dream, the Indonesian League must become the number one league in Southeast Asia. Of course it is impossible for a country of this size to be ranked sixth,” he said after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Asiana and Osaka was held at the Fairmont Hotel, Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday (4/7/2023).

Erick believes that through mutually beneficial synergies, the Japanese League can become the best in Asia, while Indonesia can become the best in Southeast Asia.

Therefore, Indonesia needs to take Japan as an example in designing a structured soccer project to reach the elite power in Asia. Erick also appreciated the efforts of both parties in developing football at the grassroots level.

For him, the development of grassroots is an important foundation in building the power of football.

“I congratulate Asiana for being consistent in developing Indonesian football from the grassroots level, and also to partner Osaka for continuing to raise the younger generation in both countries,” he added.

Erick hopes that by building a soccer academy, Indonesia can emulate Japan’s progress. He realizes that building something sustainably takes time and a long structure. Japan is a good example.

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