Lt. Gen. Agum takes over PSSI chairmanship from Azwar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar will take over from Azwar
\nAnas as chairman of the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI)
\non Wednesday, the federation announced on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Azwar told a media conference following an emergency meeting
\non Tuesday that Agum had accepted the top post earlier in the
\nday.<\/p>\n
Azwar said that Agum's superior, Minister of Defense and
\nSecurity\/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, had also approved
\nhis appointment as the new PSSI chairman.<\/p>\n
Agum, who is also the federation's official in charge of human
\nresource development, is the Governor of the National Resilience
\nInstitute.<\/p>\n
PSSI secretary-general Nugraha Besoes said Agum would serve as
\nthe acting chief until his formal induction, which is scheduled
\nfor November. It was not clear, however, whether Agum would serve
\na full term in office. Azwar's second five-year tenure was due to
\nend next year.<\/p>\n
The federation's spokesman, Tondo Widodo, said Agum was
\nexpected to preside over an executive meeting for the first time
\non Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Azwar said he hoped that under Agum, the federation would be
\nable to improve the standard of soccer in the country.<\/p>\n
\"I decided to resign because of my moral responsibility to
\nfacilitate the development of national soccer. I'm looking
\nforward to a better future for the sport in the country,\" Azwar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Azwar stepped down after a farcical display by the Indonesian
\nteam in a Tiger Cup match against Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City,
\nVietnam, last week. Indonesia deliberately scored an own goal
\nthat handed Thailand a 3-2 win and an unwanted semifinal meeting
\nwith Vietnam.<\/p>\n
National team manager Andrie Amien and coach Rusdy Bahalwan
\nhave both tendered their resignations but the federation has yet
\nto decide if it will accept either.<\/p>\n
Tondo dismissed reports that a number of executives would
\nfollow in Azwar's footstep.<\/p>\n
\"The chairman has taken responsibility for the team's
\ndisgraceful display. There are no other executives who will
\nresign,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But Azwar corrected Tondo's statement, saying that some
\nofficials had wanted to join him but that he had asked them to
\nreconsider.<\/p>\n
\"I told them not to resign because it's was my
\nresponsibility,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Tondo said that the federation was awaiting a report from
\nRusdy before deciding on how to punish defenders Mursyid Effendy
\nand Kuncoro, who teamed up to net the own goal. The federation
\nheard Andrie's explanation of events on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"We expect a technical report from Rusdy on Thursday. On
\nFriday, we will hold a special meeting decide the fate of the
\nteam,\" Tondo said.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the deputy chairman of the National Sports
\nCouncil, Arie Sudewo, reiterated that Indonesia would not compete
\nin the 13th Asian Games soccer competition, despite a suggestion
\nfrom host Thailand that the country take part for the sake of
\nAsian spirit.<\/p>\n
\"We are going to send a contingent to the event that will be
\nminus the soccer team. That is enough to demonstrate our Asian
\nspirit,\" said Arie. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lt-gen-agum-takes-over-pssi-chairmanship-from-azwar-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}