"I am confident and optimistic that I will be able to watch the Garuda, our national team, not only be a champion in Southeast Asia but also globally," Jokowi stated during the Nusantara National Training Center groundbreaking as monitored on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube Channel from here on Friday.
The president believes that the Indonesian national team can gain achievements globally if the training center is supported by good management, adequate facilities and infrastructure, and the people's love for football.
Jokowi explained that despite several international-standard football stadiums in various major cities in Indonesia, such as on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua, the Indonesian national team does not yet have a centralized and integrated training center.
"Hence, the national team must move from one place to another when training. That way, Alhamdulillah (Thank God), this morning, we carry out the groundbreaking of the National Training Center for Indonesian football," he remarked.
President Jokowi stated that the National Training Center is constructed on an area of 34.5 hectares, with eight fields and other supporting facilities.
The training center will have dormitories for athletes and coaches in a green and beautiful environment, Jokowi remarked.
"We hope that athletes here will feel at home and away from the crowd. Unlike Jakarta, there will be an evening training here," he noted.
In addition, Jokowi said, the National Training Center will function as an innovation center for Indonesian football development that facilitates research and testing of the latest technology in the sport.
Earlier on Thursday, President Jokowi confirmed that a training center for PSSI will be built in the new capital (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan.
The construction will take place for around six months and will be funded by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), he added.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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