Will Indonesian Super League Resume?

Indonesian Soccer players in particular and the soccer fans in general have presumably expected the unexpected matter especially during 2015 when PSSI ceased the Indonesia Super League and FIFA imposed sanction against the PSSI.

After the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) ceased the competition of Indonesia Super League this year, the sports ministry imposed a sanction because PSSI allegedly failed to respond to the letters of warning from the ministry after the Indonesian Professional Sports Agency, BOPI did not allow two problematic soccer clubs Persebaya Surabaya and Arema Indonesia to participate in the Indonesia Super League (ISL) competition.

Thus, the PSSI`s failure to respond the ministry`s letter led to imposing the sanction prior to the PSSI congress.

PSSI held its extraordinary congress in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya on Saturday, April 18, 2015 after the Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nachrowi imposed the temporary suspension on the country`s soccer association.

In the extraordinary congress, La Nyalla Mattalitti was elected General chairman, Vice General Chair-persons Erwin Dwi Budiawan, and Vice General Chairman Hinca Panjaitan.

Since then, PSSI could no longer organize the football affairs in the country.

However, the government later established transitional team which was set to take over the tasks of the suspended All-Indonesian Football Association.

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

Afterwards, the transitional team held the Independence Cup which was participated in by 24 clubs.

Subsequently, the North Sumatra soccer club "PSMS Medan" won the Independence Cup game in 2015 after a 2-1 win in the final round against Persinga Ngawi of East Java in a match that took place at the Bung Tomo Stadium here Sunday night.

Two goals for PSMS Medan were scored by Aldino and Legimin Raharjo respectively in 61st and 91 minutes, while a single goal for Persinga Ngawi was netted by Jefri Kurniawan in the 26th minute.

"It is incredible and our players showed that they can (win). We are very grateful over the results," coach of PSMS Medan Suharto told reporters after the match.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Transitional Team that organizes the Independence Cup event Bibit Samad Riyanto handed gold medals to the players and officials of PSMS Medan.

In addition, PSMS Medan also gained cash prize Rp 1.5 billion, then Persinga Ngawi as runner up received Rp1 billion cash prize.

The Independence Cup kicking off event was conducted by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Maulana Yusuf stadium in Serang, Banten Province on Saturday (Aug 16).

Following the completion of the Independence Cup, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) opened the President Cup Tournament 2015 at the "I Wayan Dipta" Stadium in Gianyar, Bali, on Sunday (Aug.30, 2015).

"I hope this tournament will be able to awaken the country`s football development in the future even though Indonesia has received sanctions from FIFA," the President pointed out.

He said the ban on Indonesia`s participation in international competitions should serve as a whip for the country to revitalize its soccer organizations so that they would become clean and transparent.

The President also appealed to the Indonesian people to support the country`s soccer development so that it would rise again and make achievement at the national and international levels.

"This tournament could serve as a solution to the football problem in the country which is now being awaited by the people, even though FIFA is still imposing a sanction," he said.

The President Cup tournament drew participation from 16 soccer clubs.

Mahaka Group President Commissioner, Erick Thohir, who organized the tournament expressed hope that the game 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 tournament.

In the President Cup, the dream of Persib Bandung`s team came true by winning this tournament.

President Joko Widodo handed over a presidential trophy to Persib soccer club soon after Persib squad won the final round of President Cup 2015 game on Sunday evening (Oct.18).

Persib emerged as champion in the tournament after crushing Sriwijaya FC club of South Sumatra 2-0 which took place in the "Gelora Bung Karno" (GBK) main stadium in Jakarta.

The final match was also attended by governors of Jakarta, West Java, and South Sumatra, respectively Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok), Ahmad Heryawan (Aher), and Alex Nurdin.

In an effort to fulfill the demand of soccer fans, the Mahaka Sport and Entertainment in cooperation with the military then carried out the General Sudirman Cup 2015 soccer tournament.

On Tuesday (Nov 10) President Joko Widodo opened the General Sudirman Cup 2015 soccer match by kicking the ball with his right leg in the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java on Tuesday night.

As many as 15 soccer clubs participated in the soccer event starting November 10, in the tournament which was initiated by the Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander.

The soccer tournament is organized to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Indonesian military.

The final round of this game will take place at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on January 24, 2016.

The Mahaka Sports and Entertainment, which is organizing the General Sudirman cup event has also offered a cash prize of Rp2.5 billion for the champion, and Rp1.5 billion for second winner. While each of the semifinalists will receive the cash prize of Rp500 million.

Apart from that, after imposing its sanction, FIFA still allows Indonesia to send its "Timnas U-23" or its national soccer team under 23 years old to compete in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) SEA Games 2015 in Singapore.

FIFA believed that PSSI has violated the FIFA statutes, article 13 and 17 with the intervention by outsiders, namely the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian Professional Sports Agency (BOPI).

"FIFA Executive Committee decided the Youth and Sports Ministry (Kemenpora) and BOPI have intervened the management of PSSI causing PSSI violated FIFA Statutes article 13 and 17," in accordance with a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

The FIFA`s sanction has also caused Indonesia lost its membership in the FIFA.

In order to overcome the problem, various efforts have been made by the government even communicate directly with FIFA.

FIFA representatives even had visited Indonesia and met with President Joko Widodo with the main agenda to solve the problems of the Indonesian football and lift the sanctions.

A team was finally formed and fronted by several sports figures such as former Chairman of the Indonesian Sports Committee, KOI Rita Subowo, former Indonesian ambassador to Switzerland, Djoko Susilo and Head of Public Communication affairs of the Youth and Sports Ministry Gatot S Dewa Broto.

Above all, soccer players and soccer fans have been waiting for the recurrence of the Indonesian Super League as it could become a sustainable competition in the country. (WDY)