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.