Indonesian Cup to start earlier

Indonesian Cup to start earlier

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has decided to
launch the maiden Indonesian Cup earlier than the previously
planned dates to ensure a smooth run of the national competition,
according to top official.

Taking the example of the English FA Cup, the competition,
which will involve an overall 74 clubs, was formerly scheduled to
be staged after the premier league wrapped up.

PSSI Chairman Nurdin Halid said that the competition would
instead be introduced in July after the first round of the
presidential campaign period.

"PSSI wants a continuous competition. Therefore, we have
chosen to put the schedule of the Indonesian Cup earlier, instead
of the previous plan," Nurdin told reporters here on Wednesday.

The participants of the Indonesian Cup will comprise 18 clubs
from the premier league, 24 from the first division and 32 from
the second division.

Earlier, PSSI, on advice from the police, announced the
postponement of the premier league matches whose schedule would
clash with the campaign season for national elections.

The campaign period is from March 11 to April 1 while the
legislative election is on April 5.

The rescheduling will bring about an idle period for the
participating clubs and PSSI, according to Nurdin, is looking to
provide the clubs with the new competition.

"Right after the idle period, local clubs face a new
competition," he said, adding that at the same time the league
would resume after the campaign break.

The second break will be between June 1 and July 7, which will
coincide with the first round of the presidential campaign.

The details of the Indonesian Cup will be discussed further
with clubs during a meeting on Feb. 5, which will also put on the
agenda the issue of premier league rescheduling and deal with
probable complaints about the tight match schedule.

"It is possible that after the meeting we may not have such a
tight schedule," he said.

Speaking on PSSI's hiring of Briton Peter Withe to coach the
under-20 team, Nurdin said the signing of a contract had been
delayed from its schedule on Wednesday because he needed some
time to discuss it with his lawyer.

According to Nurdin, Withe is in Australia handling some
family matters before moving to Indonesia.

"Everything is moving toward realization. What is left is only
a matter of formality," Nurdin said, expecting Withe to start
working on Feb. 5.