Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir called on every sports association management in Indonesia to have a long-term blueprint for the development of achievements.

"On this occasion, I invite all sports to have a blueprint," he remarked at the 2024 National Olympic Committee (NOC) Members Meeting and Extraordinary Congress here on Friday.

He underscored that a blueprint is important in the development of every sport for the long term. Through a blueprint, Thohir said, a sport can be fully supported by the government.

Thohir revealed that as President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had tasked him with the handling of PSSI, he immediately prepared a blueprint for the development of Indonesian football until 2045.

In the blueprint, he noted, there are several targets, such as the women's national football team that is expected to enter the World Cup in 2034, and the men's national football team that is targeted to enter the World Cup in 2038.

The PSSI chairman said that by taking into account the existing limitations and by not utilizing the government's funds, PSSI could form the women's team and the U-23 Team.

Sports associations must dare to design their goals through blueprints that can also contain funding sources from the government and the private sector, he added.

Thohir, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, reminded that sports management boards must continue to put athletes at the forefront of sports development.

"Do not let the managers (be) above the athletes. This is important because we have egos. The ones that must be above are the athletes because they attract greater support from the government and various parties, especially if the athletes can excel," he remarked.

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Translator: Aloysius L, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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