BRI League 1 drives the economy that involves micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, athletes, referees, as well as officials in the sports industry that were brought together to have broader positive impacts.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - BRI League 1 football tournament drives the wheels of the citizens' economy, according to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir.

"BRI League 1 drives the economy that involves micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, athletes, referees, as well as officials in the sports industry that were brought together to have broader positive impacts," Thohir stated on his Instagram account @erickthohir on Saturday.

The SOE minister lauded the state-owned bank PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) for being the main supporter for the soccer competition.

“This is the real form of commitment of state-owned enterprises toward citizens," he added.

Thohir also reminded citizens to comply with health protocols and vaccination conditions while providing support to their favorite soccer teams from their respective homes.

"Come on friends. Let us extend our support from our homes. We will show the world that Indonesia can successfully hold a big sports event by adhering to strict health protocols and conducting vaccination," he noted.

Earlier, Thohir, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and representatives from other ministries, the police, the army, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), PT Liga Indonesia Baru and other stakeholders attended the opening ceremony of BRI League 1 Indonesia season 2021-2022 in Bung Karno Stadium (GBK).

After the opening remark, the ceremony continued with the transfer of Indonesia's League 1 season 2019 trophy from the champion Bali United to the PSSI.

Thereafter, the event proceeded to the League 1 season 2021-2022 ball handover from the SOE minister to the PSSI chairman.

PSSI then passed the ball to the FIFA-licensed referee, overseeing the premiere match, Yudi Nurcahya, to symbolically begin the latest League 1 season.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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