Indonesian Cup to start earlier<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has decided to
\nlaunch the maiden Indonesian Cup earlier than the previously
\nplanned dates to ensure a smooth run of the national competition,
\naccording to top official.<\/p>\n
Taking the example of the English FA Cup, the competition,
\nwhich will involve an overall 74 clubs, was formerly scheduled to
\nbe staged after the premier league wrapped up.<\/p>\n
PSSI Chairman Nurdin Halid said that the competition would
\ninstead be introduced in July after the first round of the
\npresidential campaign period.<\/p>\n
\"PSSI wants a continuous competition. Therefore, we have
\nchosen to put the schedule of the Indonesian Cup earlier, instead
\nof the previous plan,\" Nurdin told reporters here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The participants of the Indonesian Cup will comprise 18 clubs
\nfrom the premier league, 24 from the first division and 32 from
\nthe second division.<\/p>\n
Earlier, PSSI, on advice from the police, announced the
\npostponement of the premier league matches whose schedule would
\nclash with the campaign season for national elections.<\/p>\n
The campaign period is from March 11 to April 1 while the
\nlegislative election is on April 5.<\/p>\n
The rescheduling will bring about an idle period for the
\nparticipating clubs and PSSI, according to Nurdin, is looking to
\nprovide the clubs with the new competition.<\/p>\n
\"Right after the idle period, local clubs face a new
\ncompetition,\" he said, adding that at the same time the league
\nwould resume after the campaign break.<\/p>\n
The second break will be between June 1 and July 7, which will
\ncoincide with the first round of the presidential campaign.<\/p>\n
The details of the Indonesian Cup will be discussed further
\nwith clubs during a meeting on Feb. 5, which will also put on the
\nagenda the issue of premier league rescheduling and deal with
\nprobable complaints about the tight match schedule.<\/p>\n
\"It is possible that after the meeting we may not have such a
\ntight schedule,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Speaking on PSSI's hiring of Briton Peter Withe to coach the
\nunder-20 team, Nurdin said the signing of a contract had been
\ndelayed from its schedule on Wednesday because he needed some
\ntime to discuss it with his lawyer.<\/p>\n
According to Nurdin, Withe is in Australia handling some
\nfamily matters before moving to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is moving toward realization. What is left is only
\na matter of formality,\" Nurdin said, expecting Withe to start
\nworking on Feb. 5.<\/p>",
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