U-12 tournament organizer criticizes PSSI

U-12 tournament organizer criticizes PSSI

JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the Under-12 Campina Kids league
criticized the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) for
ignoring the sporting development of children under 12 years old.

Secretary-general of the Porgaki sports foundation, Taufik
Jursal Effendi, said on Tuesday that the PSSI did not even try to
send a talent scouting team to spot prospective youngsters at the
tournament, which will enter its final round from July 7 to July
15.

"We were expecting the PSSI to send its talent scouts to spot
talented youngsters who might be able to join the national team
in the future. We don't need financial contributions from them
because we already have sponsors," he said.

The organizers seemed bewildered when asked at a press
briefing about the youngsters' futures after finishing the
league.

As regards the development of junior players, PSSI only has a
centralized training program for U-16 players in Medan, North
Sumatra. These players were recruited from the under-15 Bogasari
league which concluded in May.

Eight clubs from four regional divisions managed to enter the
league's round-robin final round to take place at the PASI Jaya
pitch in the Bung Karno Sports Complex. The final match is
scheduled for July 15.

The clubs are Tunas Patriot Bekasi, Serpong Tangerang, IPI
Bandung, Garuda Cirebon of West Java, Undip and Tugu Muda of
Semarang, and Surabaya-based Dolog Jatim and Indonesia Raya.

SCTV private station, which is also helping to organize the
event, will air taped matches every Sunday from July 8 to July 29
at 3.30 p.m.

Porgaki chairman Yusuf Rizal said the organizers would not
tolerate any attempts to falsify players' ages.

"If we find any attempt to falsify a players age, we will
sanction the club even it has won the title." (ivy)