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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Garuda Academy Year II 2026 Begins, Minister Urges Focus on Leadership for Football Transformation

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir launched the Garuda Academy Year II 2026, emphasizing the need for strong leadership in football transformation.
  • The program, supported by FIFA, aims to build a robust ecosystem for Indonesian football beyond player and team performance.
  • Thohir challenged 105 participants to become future leaders capable of driving modern football industry changes, stressing commitment, leadership, and a good system.

Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir has officially launched the Garuda Academy Year II 2026, highlighting that the transformation of Indonesian football requires more than just improving player, coach, and team performance. He stressed the critical need for a strong foundation of leadership.

Speaking at the CORE 1.0 face-to-face learning session in Jakarta, Thohir expressed his appreciation for FIFA's commitment to advancing Indonesian football. He noted that the public's immense passion for the sport must be matched by the development of a more solid ecosystem.

Thank you to FIFA for supporting the advancement of Indonesian football. We know the public's love for football is immense.

— Erick ThohirExpressing gratitude to FIFA and acknowledging public passion for football.

"We know the public's love for football is immense," Thohir said. He pointed out that while public attention often focuses on players, coaches, and team results, these are only components of a larger picture. "The backbone is all of us. I have repeatedly said that leadership must exist in football, including within a good system," he added.

Some components, the backbone is all of us. I have repeatedly said that leadership must exist in football, including within a good system.

— Erick ThohirEmphasizing the importance of leadership and systemic improvements in football.

Thohir issued a challenge to the 105 participants of Garuda Academy Year II CORE 1.0, urging them to become the next generation of leaders who can bring about change in the modern football industry. "I want to challenge you because you are the future of Indonesian football. We are serious about building leadership. Don't let the foundation that has been built regress. Here you must work with values. What you do must benefit your families and the nation. No transformation succeeds without committed leadership and a system," he explained.

The government remains committed to supporting sports development through international events that can generate economic benefits for the community. The CORE 1.0 program serves as the initial foundation for participants to grasp key aspects of the modern football industry, including brand building and professional event planning.

I want to challenge you because you are the future of Indonesian football. We are serious about building leadership. Don't let the foundation that has been built regress. Here you must work with values. What you do must benefit your families and the nation. No transformation succeeds without committed leadership and a system.

— Erick ThohirChallenging participants to become leaders and drive change in Indonesian football.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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