RI soccer clubs told to go public

JAKARTA (JP): A former top soccer official says it is high time for Indonesian soccer clubs, both amateur and professional, to go public, following in the footsteps of foreign clubs.

Former administrator of the All Indonesia Soccer Federation (PSSI) Kamaruddin Panggabean launched the idea before the participants of a seminar on national level soccer in Medan, North Sumatra.

The clubs should behave like a business enterprises and sell shares to the public, said Kamaruddin, who initiated the Marah Halim Cup international soccer championship in 1972.

European clubs are financially able to bring in expensive, world-famous booters with the funds they secure from selling shares to companies and individual investors.

According to Kamaruddin, one professional soccer club has followed his advise. Mitra Surabaya has garnered around Rp 2 million from selling shares to the public.

Kamaruddin said he arrived at that idea after learning of the huge public attendance since the Indonesian League was launched on Nov. 27.

To keep the public interest up, he said, PSSI must present quality matches.

That's why imported booters are needed and their presence must be kept, Kamaruddin said.

"But most importantly, their quality must not be the same as that of local booters, as is the case at present," he said.

Another point he criticized was PSSI's lack of talent scouting and the lack of professionalism on the part of Indonesian referees, whom he said tended to show unfriendly, angry-looking faces.

To ensure fair play, Kamaruddin further said, home teams must be prohibited from paying the referee. (arf)