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)