Supporting the Life of Former Athlete and Referee, Erick Thohir Forms the PSSI Foundation

– PSSI Chairman, Erick Thohir officially formed a foundation for athletes, former athletes and referees. The PSSI Foundation is expected to be able to support the lives of athletes after they are no longer playing.

First, Erick Thohir said to the new management at PSSI, he wanted to change the bad perception in society regarding the profession of being an athlete, especially a soccer player.

Erick explained that many athletes, especially former athletes (footballers) and referees, did not have a good or decent livelihood after retiring as footballers or referees. Many of them are forgotten, down, even their health is not guaranteed. This was the main driving force for him to form the PSSI Foundation.

“That’s why the foundation wants to prove that PSSI is here to care for and foster. This is the function of the foundation that was formed at this time,” said the General Chairperson of PSSI, Erick Thohir, at the GBK Arena Floor 1, Central Jakarta, Thursday (22/6/2023).

Erick said the establishment of this foundation was also to prove that PSSI exists, cares for, and fosters athletes and all those involved in the advancement of Indonesian football.

“This is where the function of the foundation that was formed at this time. There are two foundation programs,” he said.

Furthermore, he told the PSSI Foundation, there were 2 main programs that would be implemented. The first is health and the second is career continuity for athletes or former athletes and referees.

“Our health issue will make the program how after they are no longer playing health is guaranteed,” he said.

“Both career management programs were still active or after,” he added.

Then he added, this program was formed after he and the vice chairman of PSSI conducted a comparative study with Japan. He said that in Japan there is a post-athlete program to support the lives of Japanese football players. That’s what he imitated and tried to apply at PSSI.

“After U-16 and U-17, we will explain this Lol the plan for the foundation to come to them after their old age or maybe the players who are clearly not playing for the national team anymore,” he said.