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)