•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   
•    EYEWITNESS   

Malang, East Java. The National Football Congress ended here on Wednesday, but only time will tell whether the two-day event will lead to improvement in the country’s football development.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Andi Mallarangeng closed the congress, which produced seven recommendations aimed at helping the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) develop the sport.

Andi said the government appreciated the congress’s suggestions and would assess them immediately.

“We’ll read and study the recommendations as we have the same obligation as our counterparts, KONI [Indonesian National Sports Committee] and PSSI, to implement them,” he said. “Our aim is to listen to and accommodate all opinions and criticism regarding the PSSI and national football from all stakeholders.”

However, because the congress was initiated by the government and was not an official PSSI event, the association is under no obligation to implement the recommendations.

Nor was there an explicit recommendation to replace Nurdin Halid as the chairman of PSSI, despite speculation about such a move before the congress began.

The congress did, however, urge the PSSI to undertake reforms aimed at improving its performance.

Nurdin said that during his tenure, which began in 2003, the association had made improvements similar to those recommended by the congress.

“Since I was elected as chairman in 2003, I have carried out lots of reforms at PSSI, such as drawing up new statutes complying with those of FIFA,” he said.

“We will apply the congress’s recommendations as long as they don’t conflict with PSSI statutes,” he added

Asked if the State Ministry for Youth and Sports Affairs would monitor the implementation of the congress’s recommendations and impose sanctions if PSSI failed to adopt them, Andi said the ministry did not have the necessary authority.

“I think it’s KONI’s authority to monitor its members, including PSSI,” he said. “But I urge all national football stakeholders, including KONI and PSSI, to do their homework in order to improve national football. If they don’t apply them [the recommendations], then they will upset the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the Indonesian Super League, Persija Jakarta suffered a setback in its title chase after losing 2-1 at lowly Persik Kediri on Wednesday.

Chinese striker Han Jiho gave Persik the lead after just six minutes, before Aliyudin leveled the score in the 39th minute.

Legimin Raharjo scored from a penalty two minutes from full time to clinch victory for Persik.

Elsewhere, Persiwa Wamena beat Bontang FC 4-0, Persebaya lost 1-0 to PSPS Pekanbaru and Persema Malang defeated Pelita Jaya 2-1.