Minister Imam to send Indonesia National U-15 Team to Malaysia

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi sent Indonesia National U-15 Football team to compete in the 2016 Asian Schools Football Championship U-15.

The team will compete in the tournament from 20 September to 1 October in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Indonesia together with Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia B are in group A. Meanwhile in group B, there are  Malaysia A, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and China.

"Our target is definitely to be the champion. It will boost the team’s confidence and give happiness to them, since our national U-19 team have not achieved it yet. But the most important thing is hardwork, determination and prayer,” Nahrawi said at his office in Jakarta on Monday (19/9).

It is important to take part in many championships for early age, he continued, and to use them as one way of training. This year Indonesia national football team has yet to win any championship, while waiting the pending result of the 2016 AFF Cup in the Philippines.

It is expected that the U-15 team can win this tournament.In the future, this event may serve as our preparation for other events in Asia and in the world. 

"This is a great opportunity  for the football federation to focus more to  youngsters, and in 2017, we will give more concern to explore our children’s  potential.” He continued.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s deputy of sport empowerment, Raden Isnanta explained that all the 20 players in the U-15 squad have passed a selection conducted previously. With enough preparation time, he hoped the U-15 team  can win the title.

"We have conducted a selection and preparation in Makassar, where  we gave them training, physical test and strategies prepared by the coaches. I hope that these kids can reach the final and become the campion,” He said. (Translator: Rina Alexandra)