Azwar given second term at PSSI despite criticism
Azwar given second term at PSSI despite criticism
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian soccer continues its brave sail
across the tides without changing its controversial captain.
Incumbent chairman of the All-Indonesia Football Association
Azwar Anas remained unshakeable despite a flurry of strong
criticism following Indonesia's SEA Games defeat and its modest
international performance throughout the year.
Azwar unanimously won support to lead the association for the
next four years on the opening day of its 31st national congress
on Wednesday night, 24 hours earlier than originally scheduled.
The congress, led by Amru Dualay and attended by a total of
833 representatives from the country's 27 provinces, also
accepted Azwar's accountability report.
Azwar, who is also Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare,
his face wreathed in smiles, gave no trace of fatigue despite the
overnight duty as he received a throng of journalists after a
cabinet meeting led by President Soeharto yesterday.
"Thank you very much for the support given to me. I will work
hard to raise the standards in soccer in the next four years,"
Azwar said.
He also reported the result of the election to Soeharto during
the cabinet meeting. "Mr. President threw his weight behind my
reelection," he said.
Azwar's reelection ended mounting rumors that the association
would have a new head, following the upset defeat in SEA Games.
Vice chairman of the National Sports Council Arie Sudewo was
dubbed the strongest contender for the association's top post.
The surviving chairman denied yesterday that the organization
he led in the past four years inherited nearly Rp 325 million of
debts.
"Media report used the data as of November, which saw deficit
in our balance sheet because the debt payment was still in
dispute. We have already covered the debts and there is Rp 100
million cash left in our coffers," Azwar said.
The congress gave Azwar one month to line up his new cabinet.
An observer, Andi Darussalam Tabusala, said Azwar should name
only professional staff in an attempt to improve national soccer
standard. "Don't pick people who just want to make a living from
the association," Darussalam said. (amd)