Indonesia Needs More Soccer Competitions: President

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo has stated that more soccer competitions are needed in effort to improve the country's soccer quality.

"I encourage the (soccer organizing body) to implement more competitions. Now is the implementation of Independence Cup, then there will be the Presidents Cup at the end of August," the president said after the Independence Cup kicking off event at the Maulana Yusuf stadium in Serang, Banten Province on Saturday.

As many as 24 clubs will participate in Independence Cup 2015, which will take place in six cities.

Events of Group A of the soccer tournament will be held in Teladan Stadium in the North Sumatra provincial city of Medan, while those of Group B will be held in Maulana Yusuf Stadium in Serang and in Cilegon Stadium, both in Banten province.

Group C games will be held in two sports stadiums in the Java Island, Manahan in Solo and Sultan Agung in Bantul.

Events of Group D will take place in Wilis Stadium in the East Java city of Madiun.

On April 17, the management of the PSSI was suspended by Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Imam Nahrawi.

On May 8, the minister had announced the names of the members of the transition team that would take over the rights and authority of the PSSI following its suspension.

"The elimination round will go on for some two weeks, following which the two best clubs from each group will advance to the next round," Wartono explained.

The quarterfinals will begin on August 27, after which the organizing committee has scheduled a break before the semifinal matches.

The final match will be held on September 5. (WDY)