Suara.com – PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir emphasized that he does not want the organization he leads to become whiny and spoiled in funding matters, even though managing football requires huge costs.
This was conveyed by Erick Thohir after attending the launch of the Gesits Garuda electric motorbike at the IIMS 2024 exhibition arena, Kemayoran, Newsdelivers.com, Sunday (18/2/2024).
“So yesterday Pak Jokowi talked to me, what does the government need to help with? Yes, I said funding, sir. Well, but I also don't want PSSI to be a crybaby,” said Erick as reported by Antara.
“I assure you that, for example, if the government gives x amount, for example 100 or 500, yes, we from PSSI are also trying to get the same funds,” continued the 53 year old man.
Under Erick's leadership, PSSI is trying to become more independent in obtaining funding. In June 2023, PSSI revived PT Garuda Sepakbola Indonesia (GSI) to manage PSSI's business assets professionally.
Collaboration with electric motorbike manufacturer Gesits is also one of PT GSI's work programs to help PSSI's finances.
“The first time in the history of PSSI for 94 years, we have a partner, married, with a vehicle, automotive. “Because it's never happened before,” said PT GSI Director Marsal Irwan Masita.
On that occasion, Erick also explained that good management of the Indonesian National Team requires very large costs. In fact, Indonesia is currently quite behind a number of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
“We want to have a good national team, the figure is 250 to 500 billion. If we compare that with Japan, Japan's figure is approximately 170 million US, 3.4 trillion. We're far away. “Our neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand are already at 1 (trillion),” said the figure who is also the Minister of BUMN.
“So yes, that's the reality. “There is money, there is prosperity, there is achievement,” he concluded.