President Inaugurates President Cup Tournament 2015

Gianyar, Bali (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) opened the President Cup Tournament 2015 at the "I Wayan Dipta" Stadium in Gianyar, Bali, on Sunday.

"I officially declare this tournament open. I hope this tournament will be able to awaken the country`s football development in the future even though Indonesia has received sanctions from FIFA," the President said.

He said the ban on Indonesia`s participation in international competitions should serve as a whip for the country to revitalize its soccer organizations so that they would become clean and transparent.

The President appealed to the Indonesian people to support the country`s soccer development so that it would rise again and make achievement at the national and international levels.

"This tournament could serve as a solution to the football problem in the country which is now being awaited by the people,even though the FIFA is still imposing a sanction," he said.

The President Cup tournament will draw participation from 16 soccer clubs.

The President Cup is a professional soccer tournament aimed at resuming soccer as a competitive sport across the country after it was halted several months ago.

In the meantime, Mahaka Group President Commissioner, Erick Thohir, who is organizing the tournament said on Saturday that his side had completed the preparation for the opening ceremony, as well as the clubs grouping,"

Thohir expressed hope that the tournament could emerge as a barometer for the professional football competition in all aspects so as to become an example and role model for the next football tournament.

According to him, as many as 16 soccer clubs will participate in the President Cup tournament starting Sunday, August 30, and will be divided into four groups.

"A total of 38 matches will be held during the tournament. Each day there will be two matches in the preliminary round, which will take place at 03.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.," Thohir explained, adding that the tournament will be broadcast nationwide by a private television station.

Starting from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals, the matches` format will be "home and away." Its final round will be conducted on October 18 at the Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the coach of the Persita Tangerang soccer club, Bambang Nurdiansyah, said on Monday that soon after the opening ceremony, Bali United (the host) will face Persija Jakarta, followed by Persita Tangerang`s match against Mitra Kukar".

According to Nurdiansyah, the President Cup tournament will take place in four cities namely Bandung (group A), Malang (group B), Bali (group C) and Makassar (Group D).

Group A consists of Persib Bandung, Persebaya United, Persiba Balikpapan, and Martapura FC; and Group B comprises of Arema Cronos, PSGS Ciamis, Sriwijaya FC Palembang and Persela Lamongan.

Group C has teams Bali United, Persija Jakarta, Mitra Kukar and Persita Tangerang; while Group D has namely PSM Makassar, Pelita Bandung Raya, Peregres Gresik and Pusamania Borneo FC. (WDY)