JABAR EKSPRES – PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir visited the Papua Football Academy (PFA) coaching clinic with German club Borussia Dortmund, which took place at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (9/8).

On that occasion, Erick was accompanied by former Dortmund players such as Marcel Schmelzer. Jorg Heinrich, and Paul Lambert, greeted a number of PFA fostered players while joking lightly.

“So if you want to become a star player, must be disciplined like these German players,” Erick said to the PFA fostered players.

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In addition, a number of U-17 national team players such as Ji Dan Bin and Reno Salampessy also encouraged the young players from Papua.

After chatting with the PFA players, Erick then took the time to answer the reporter’s questions. On that occasion, Erick again reminded that the formation of a strong national team must really start from the grassroots and young age.
“That’s why we encourage how the league has an Elite Pro Academy, the government also asked Mr. Jokowi at that time to make Papua province a sports province, therefore, Freeport invested in the academy, now this is an example of the first batch from all tribes in Papua, and I received reports that there are also many good talents,” said the figure who is also the Minister of BUMN.

“We know that Papua often contributes national players, right? But the difference here, I ask Freeport not only to create players, but also to create smart people, right?” Erick said.

Papua Football Academy is PT Freeport Indonesia’s commitment program to develop Papuan human resources through football. The program has started since August 2022 and is led by veteran reporter Weshley Hutagalung.