Minister of Youth and Sports Reveals Reasons for Naturalization of Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders

Jakarta, Todaysgist.com – Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo revealed the government’s reasons for naturalizing or granting Indonesian citizenship to prospective Indonesian National Team soccer players Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders. For Mees Hilgers, said Dito, he has international soccer experience as a young player, namely representing the Dutch National Team at the U-21 level.

Second, in the short term, Hilgers is projected to strengthen the Indonesian National Team squad in FIFA World Cup 2026, Asian Qualifiers Round 3 in 2024 and 2025, ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

“Meanwhile, in the long term, Hilgers is projected to help the target of a top 100 FIFA ranking (top 10 Asia) – FIFA Matchday” said Dito in a working meeting (raker) with Commission III of the DPR at the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday (17/9/2024).

Then, Mees Hilgers, said Dito, is a PEC Zwolle club player who has international football experience – as a young player. In the short term, Eliano is needed to strengthen the Indonesian National Team squad in the event FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Round 3 in 2024 and 2025, ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

“The study of athlete empowerment projections is intended for the long term (over 5 years), namely the top 100 FIFA rankings (top 10 in Asia) – FIFA Matchday” explained Dito.

It is known that the DPR through Commission III approved the naturalization of prospective Indonesian National Team soccer players Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders. The decision was made in the DPR Commission III Working Meeting with Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo and PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi, on Tuesday (17/9/2024).

Initially, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo conveyed the legal basis and reasons for naturalizing the two soccer players. After that, Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Pangeran Khairul Saleh, asked for approval from the meeting participants regarding the granting of citizenship to Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders.

“Well, happy ladies and gentlemen, with the approval of the consideration of granting Indonesian citizenship to Eliano Reijnders and Mees Hilgers, the entire series of activities today has been completed,” said Pangeran.

After this, Commission X of the DPR will also hold a meeting to discuss granting citizenship to Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders.

Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders currently play in Premier League (Dutch Ligue 1). Mees Hilgers is a 23 year old central defender who currently plays for FC Twente. Meanwhile, Eliano Reijnders is also a defender who is also 23 years old and can play more than one position.