President To Witness 'President Cup' Finals

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo is scheduled to witness the 'President Cup' final match between Persib of West Java's Bandung and its rival Sriwijaya FC of South Sumatra at Bung Karno Sports Stadium on Sunday evening.

The two teams which respectively have fanatic supporters will meet in the finals of the President Cup at 7 p.m. It is the peak of the tournament which has been held since last August.

The event draws the attention of many quarters and leads security officials to be on full alert in efforts to anticipate conflicts and security disturbance.

As many as 16 soccer clubs participated in the President Cup tournament starting Sunday, August 30, which took place in four cities namely Bandung (group A), Malang (group B), Bali (group C) and Makassar (Group D).

Group A consists of Persib Bandung, Persebaya United, Persiba Balikpapan, and Martapura FC; and Group B comprises of Arema Cronos, PSGS Ciamis, Sriwijaya FC Palembang and Persela Lamongan.

Group C has teams Bali United, Persija Jakarta, Mitra Kukar and Persita Tangerang; while Group D has namely PSM Makassar, Pelita Bandung Raya, Peregres Gresik and Pusamania Borneo FC.

The President Cup is a professional soccer tournament aimed at resuming soccer as a competitive sport across the country after it was halted several months ago.

President director of the Mahaka Sports as organizer of the President Cup expressed a hope that the tournament could emerge as a barometer for the professional football competition in all aspects so as to become an example and role model for the next football. (WDY)