Prabowo Subianto, Founder Garudayaksa Football Academy
Jakarta, IO – Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is known as a figure who is dedicated to the advancement of Indonesian sports. His accomplishment as General Chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association is well-recognized, as is his devotion to football, Indonesia’s most popular sport. He is also recognized for having founded the Garudayaksa Football Academy.
On Monday (Jan 8), the Garudayaksa Football Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aspire Academy Qatar, represented by Ivan Bravo. The MOU signing took place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, on the sidelines of the Indonesian U-20 team’s training session.
In his remarks, Prabowo conveyed that the focus of the collaboration with Aspire was for the sake of the national team, as he aspired for the Indonesian national team to be able to participate in the World Cup one day.
“I have just signed a collaboration agreement with Ivan Bravo, representing Aspire Academy Qatar, active for almost 20 years. We want to train and develop football in a modern way. With this collaboration, we wish to improve a football academy focused on developing young players, particularly those under 17 years o f age,” said Prabowo.
“Mr. Bravo is from Spain and stayed with Real Madrid for a long time. So, with this collaboration agreement, we want to develop a football academy specifically aimed at developing young players. Our main target is U-17, and after that, U-14 and U-15, because those below U-13 will be ready at the national level after five years of training,” Prabowo continued.
Prabowo also expressed his thanks to the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). He believed that without PSSI’s support, collaboration would not be possible.
“Today marks a good start for the development of Indonesian football. Aspire Academy in Qatar was founded around 20 years ago, and we have witnessed Qatar’s progress in football. Qatar also successfully hosted the World Cup some time ago,” said Prabowo.
PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir commended Prabowo for his commitment to advancing Indonesian football.
“We don’t have many figures like Mr. , who are sincerely committed to pursuing our football progress. Now, with this collaboration we have taken concrete steps to align two football academies. Aspire successfully brought Qatar’s football to world-level recognition. We’re confident that Aspire will extend exceptional support to Garudayaksa, as Ivan Bravo is directly involved,” said Erick.
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Erick has known Ivan Bravo since Ivan’s time as the President of Inter Milan. Thus, he was grateful for the cooperation between the two football academies, as Aspire Academy has acquired global recognition.
Erick admitted that building the Indonesian national team was not easy; it took a long time and many sacrifices, and involved supporters, players, and the Government.
“Including what Mr. Prabowo has done today. On behalf of PSSI, I sincerely would like to thank you,” said Erick. (rp)