End Vicious Cycle at PSSI

Indonesian soccer has suffered for years due to the absence of leadership with integrity at the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI). This suffering can be ended in the PSSI extraordinary congress this week.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Candidates for the general chairperson of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), namely (from left to right) Arif Putra Wicaksono, Aven Hinelo, Fary Djemi Francis and Yesayas Oktovianus, pose for a photograph at a sports discussion in search for a PSSI chairman at Wisma Karsa Pemuda at the Youth and Sports Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday (30/10/2019). At the event, which was held by SIWO PWI and PSSI Press, a number of chairmanship candidates explained their vision and mission. The majority of the candidates expected updates and improvement in the PSSI organization system. They also hoped to advance soccer in Indonesia again.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Soccer Association of Indonesia’s (PSSI) Extraordinary Congress to elect its new chairman on Saturday (2/11/2019) must serve as an opportunity to fix national soccer. However, the ideal leadership figure will never emerge at the PSSI if money politics remains rampant at the extraordinary congress. Voters in the congress must be brave to end this horrendous practice that has served to perpetuate the organization’s vicious cycle.

Some 86 voters in the extraordinary congress that will take place in Jakarta will determine the future of the country’s soccer management. They comprise representatives of 34 provincial soccer associations, 18 Liga 1 clubs, 22 Liga 2 clubs, 10 Liga 3 clubs, one futsal association and one national soccer association.

Each voter has the opportunity to vote for one chairman, two deputy chairs and 12 executive committee members. All of them must have integrity and be competent. Chronic problems such as soccer cartels, chaotic competitions and the poor achievement of the national team will never be resolved if the wrong persons are elected. Things would only be worse if voters deliberately picked incapable figures because of the temptation of money.

Our soccer has suffered for far too long as it is managed by people without integrity.

“Our soccer has suffered for far too long as it is managed by people without integrity. Our soccer has been trapped in a vicious cycle since the New Order,” Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University professor Azyumardi Azra said on Thursday (31/10). Allegations of money politics in the PSSI Congress are an open secret and signify that corruption has penetrated everything, including soccer.

This is despite soccer and other sports carrying the spirit of sportsmanship, honesty and discipline. The credibility of PSSI’s management board is called into doubt if the leadership election process contradicts the spirit of soccer itself.

“I hope that voters can rely on their conscience when voting. They can raise awareness that money politics is at play,” Azyumardi said.

PSSI chairman candidate Vijaya Ftiriyasa said he acknowledged the rumors of money politics among PSSI voters.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

One of the candidates for the general chairperson of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) speaks at a sports discussion in search for a PSSI chairman at Wisma Karsa Pemuda at the Office of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10/2019). At the event, which was held by SIWO PWI and PSSI Press, a number of chairmanship candidates explained their vision and mission. The majority of the candidates expected updates and improvement in the PSSI organization system. They also hoped to advance soccer in Indonesia again.

“There are friends with connection to the voters who asked me if I am willing to provide more than Rp 300 million [US$21,385] to ensure my victory. I rejected,” he said.

If the information that Vijaya heard were true, this means that there is a vote-buying offer of Rp 300 million from another candidate and that Vijaya must set a higher price if he wants to win.

“Some told me to not give any money. It’s a pity if I already shell out some money and end up losing. Some empathize with me that way,” Vijaya said.

PSSI Jakarta provincial branch head Uden Kusuma Wijaya did not deny that PSSI congresses were rife with transactional interests, be it offers of money or projects at regions. He said that it was time the longstanding bad practice was put to an end for a better future of national soccer.

Honestly, I don’t see any shining candidate to lead the PSSI.

“It is high time for a change, while we are selecting a new chair. [Chairman] candidates must be confident in sharing their vision and mission without asking for anything in return. I am convinced that voters also want change, namely a better PSSI with improvements and a strong leadership,” said Uden, who is also a candidate for the PSSI executive committee.

Other than Vijaya, nine other candidates are competing for the chairman position in the extraordinary congress. They are Arif Putra Wicaksono, Aven S Hinelo, Benhard Limbong, Benny Erwin, Fary Djemy Francis, Mochamad Iriawan (Iwan Bule), Rahim Soekasah, Sarman and Yesayas Oktovianus. There are also 15 candidates for deputy chair and 71 candidates for executive committee membership.

“Honestly, I don’t see any shining candidate to lead the PSSI. Most of them are just jobseekers, not someone willing to dedicate themselves to the PSSI. Many of them are still unfinished with themselves,” Azyumardi said.

Kompas

Candidates for the general chairperson of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

Involve task force

Vijaya said he compared the money politics allegations to a fart: the smell is strong but it remains unseen. Therefore, it is time that the National Police’s Anti-Soccer Mafia Task Force be involved to monitor the extraordinary congress. Azyumardi and former Indonesian national soccer team member Dede Sulaeman shared his sentiments.

“In every congress, money politics has always been a persistent issue. The task force must be involved immediately. Otherwise, our soccer will never move forward,” Dede said.

According to him, money politics allegations at PSSI’s extraordinary congress are often heard but remain untouchable, as there is no external intervention. This is the right time to give deterrent effect.

The PSSI has never been transparent in everything.

“We will monitor [the congress],” task force chief Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said.

The task force’s presence is hoped to boost transparency at the PSSI.

“The PSSI has never been transparent in everything. During integrity tests of chairmen and other candidates, there has never been any announcement of the results. Congresses are often held behind closed doors and serve as an event to distribute money to voters. This can only be changed by a new leadership with integrity and courage to change the old system,” said Indonesian National Team Supporters Association (PSTI) chair Ignatius Indro.