TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesia U-19 coach Indra Sjafri has a new job as part of the football development unit at the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).
PSSI secretary-general Ratu Tisha Destria said that Indra is part of the association’s long-term plan to develop young footballers. She said that Indonesia has only started its football development through a curriculum called Filosofi Sepak Bola Indonesia/FIanesia (Indonesian Football Philosophy).
“There are two main aspects of football development: coaching education and competition,” Tisha told Tempo yesterday at PSSI Headquarters in South Jakarta.
In coaching education, Tisha said that Indonesia needs to increase the number of coaches and their quality. They have to be taught and understand Filanesia before adopting it with their players.
As for competition, Indonesia is currently developing youth football leagues. Tisha sees football league as a better proposition to develop young players than the current tournament format.
“That’s Indra’s role. To help us to implement Filanesia in a competition and made a shortlist of our players,” Tisha said.
For now, Indra’s target is to find players for the U-19 team.
Indra himself said that he has accepted the role, adding that he is focusing on developing young players.
“My task starts from scouting and I share the same role as the coach. But I’m no longer with the U-19 NT,” Indra Sjafri said.
EGI ADYATAMA
