REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Senior football journalist and Indonesian sports watcher Mahfudin Nigara says State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) is one of the backbone of the country's sporting progress. Since the era of President Sueharto, Nigara said SOEs have not only supported as sponsors of sports events, but also recruited national athletes as employees of red plate banks or other state-owned enterprises.

Nigara exemplifies the national team bomber of 1965-1970, Sutjipto Suntoro who played in Bank Bumi Daya (BBD) which is now Bank Mandiri, national goalkeeper of 1970-1975, Ronny Paslah who played in Pertamina, to former PSSI Garuda-1 such as Patar Tambuban, Marzuki, Aji Ridwanmas, Azhari Rangkuti, who spread in BTN to BNI.

Nigara said the SOE's support for sports became more massive during the leadership of SOE Minister Erick Thohir. Nigara said this commitment is not separate from Erick's background as a sports person with a myriad of accomplishments, from football to basketball.

“But in the hands of Erick Thohir it is getting clearer. For example, BUMN wants to sponsor Liga-1 through BRI,” Nigara said in Jakarta, Saturday (4/5/2024).

Nigara believes BUMN has been very appropriate in supporting football, badminton, basketball, volleyball, to rock climbing, where Indonesian athletes for speed numbers are able to become world champions.

“If earlier SOEs came because of orders, now SOEs are called. The role of a minister who understands sports conditions makes his move very appropriate,” Nigara said.

TVRI's football commentator in 1992-1998 exemplified the changing face of the Indonesian football team. In recent years, Erick has been able to transform Indonesian football into one of the new, respected forces.

“For that, the expectation of national football can be greater, it is very possible. Why can this be so, it is because Erick Thohir has such a capable capacity and capability,” Nigara added.

For Nigara, SOE's full support of football is a mutually beneficial collaboration. Nigara said football, especially the national team, now has sufficient financial resources to improve quality by focusing on quality training to compete against strong teams.

“In addition, even state-owned enterprises can benefit because the number of football enthusiasts in the country is more than 120 million, this is equivalent to 8-12 countries in Europe,” Nigara continued.

Nigara believes SOEs are also ready to support other sports (cabor). However, the cabor-cabor must be able to commit to be able to improve performance.

“If another cabor hasn't come in, it has to be motivation. Show effort first, once it is half cooked, then SOEs will definitely come,” Nigara said.

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