PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir thanked the government for supporting this goal and noted that the number of coaches has risen by 49 percent since 2023, from 10 thousand to over 15 thousand. However, he emphasized that this figure is still not sufficient to improve coaching quality nationwide.
“The number is good, but it remains insufficient. Football is not only for certain clubs,” he told the media on the sidelines of the conference in Jakarta.
He stressed the importance of supporting and safeguarding amateur football clubs as part of efforts to nurture football talent from a young age, an approach he believes is essential to developing Indonesian football.
To this end, he highlighted that the PSSI has launched Liga 4, a fourth-tier league involving amateur clubs competing from the district or municipal levels up to provincial and national competitions. Tri Brata Rafflesia emerged as national champions in the inaugural 2024–2025 season.
“If there are at least 25 clubs in each of Indonesia’s 514 districts and cities, we would have around 12 thousand clubs in total. We would then need about 36 thousand coaches, assuming each club requires three,” Thohir stated.
The former Inter Milan president also noted that the PSSI has been working to accelerate the licensing process for coaches by leveraging digital technology and reducing coaching costs at the provincial level.
He said the federation has also recruited 200 highly certified coaches to participate in national programs.
“These coaches must pass on their knowledge to pave the way for new coaches,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he urged PSSI’s provincial associations to work with integrity by avoiding nepotism in recruiting coaches and players.
“Every process should be fair, offering equal opportunities for everyone,” he emphasized.
Translator: A Rauf, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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