Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir (right). (ANTARA PHOTO/Dhemas Reviyanto/rwa/FR)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, informed here on Saturday that the association will rebuild the National Team Agency (BTN), which was dissolved in 2015.

"We will ensure the formation of the National Team Agency (BTN) because we have a major agenda, namely playing at the World Cup," he explained.

Thohir, who is also the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister, stressed that Indonesia cannot lag behind other countries when it comes to the long-term football development plan.

He cited India, which has devised a football blueprint for 2023–2047, as an example.

"Indonesia cannot lag behind. To this end, BTN will have a long-term blueprint for the Indonesian national team preparation," he said.

BTN was a part of PSSI for a long time. It was formed in 2013, and one of its achievements was Indonesia’s win at the AFF U-19 Cup in 2013.

However, it was dissolved by PSSI in May 2015.

The PSSI's executive committee for the 2023–2027 period under the leadership of Thohir has issued several strategic policies since his appointment on Thursday.

In addition to BTN, it has also announced the formation of ad hoc committees for supporters and infrastructure. The two committees will support the work of the 14 permanent committees of PSSI.

The ad hoc supporters committee will manage issues related to supporters so that national football fans can conduct their activities comfortably and safely during matches.

Meanwhile, the ad hoc infrastructure committee has been tasked with selecting the location for the national team's training center.

The decision to establish the ad hoc supporters committee was prompted by a clash that broke out between PSIS supporters and police outside Jatidiri Stadium in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (February 17, 2023), Thohir said. (INE)

EDITED BY INE

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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Fadhli RuhmanEditor: Atman Ahdiat Copyright © ANTARA 2023