Speaker of The DPD RI Sends Off BLiSPI U-17 Student Team to International Tournament in Bangkok; Promotes Football as an Instrument of Diplomacy and National Unity

23 March 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id – The Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Sultan B. Najamudin, officially sent off the U-17 student team under BLiSPI (Indonesian Youth Football League Board) to compete in the Mikasa Cup and Volt Eleven International 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The send-off ceremony took place at the Chairman's official residence in Denpasar C3 No. 8, South Jakarta, on Sunday (March 22).

In his remarks, Sultan emphasized that football is more than just a sport; it is a strategic instrument in global diplomacy. "Football is one of the highest forms of a nation's diplomacy. A nation's respect and honor can be earned through the ball alone," he stated.

According to him, football reflects fundamental values such as healthy competition, teamwork, and cross-border collaboration. Therefore, strengthening the national football ecosystem must begin at the grassroots level.

Promoting tiered competitions from villages to the national level, The Speaker of The DPD RI stressed the importance of building a tiered competition system starting from the village level up to the national stage. He expressed his hope for the future emergence of more structured "village leagues" as a platform to discover top talent. "There are no winners without strong competition. We must build the foundation from the bottom—from villages, sub-districts, and regencies to provinces—so that the nation's best talents can emerge," he asserted. He also commended PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) for its increasingly serious efforts in improving the governance of national football.

In term of collaboration between DPD RI and BLiSPI, Sultan noted that the presence of BLiSPI serves as a strategic pathway to strengthen community-based youth football development. With a network spanning across all provinces, BLiSPI is considered capable of scouting local talent independently and sustainably. The DPD RI, he continued, is opening doors for collaboration with various parties, including PSSI, to create an inclusive and highly competitive national football ecosystem. "Football is a unifier of the nation and, at a certain point, becomes a major industry. However, what is still lacking is the focus and care in nurturing young seeds so they can shine," he said.

During the occasion, Sultan also shared motivational words with the young players, emphasizing the importance of integrity, sportsmanship, and fighting spirit. Quoting Sun Tzu’s philosophy, he remarked that "spirit is half of the victory, while the other half is decided on the pitch". "You are not alone. We will continue to support you. If you have value and quality, opportunities will come sooner or later, especially in today's digital era," he told the athletes.

As a form of tangible support, the Chairman of DPD RI committed to welcoming the team back to the country with a special reception, including a parade, media coverage, and awards for high-achieving athletes. "A parent's pride lies in a successful child. And your parents are not just your families, but the entire nation and state," he added.

The event was attended by Senator from Lampung Bustami Zainudin, Head of the DPD RI Leadership Secretariat Bureau Empi Muslim, Chairman of BLiSPI Subagja, national football legend Rully Nere, and BLiSPI Founder Rahmat Raharjo. The send-off was marked symbolically by the presentation of a BLiSPI jersey from the Chairman of BLiSPI to the Chairman of DPD RI.

Through synergy between DPD RI, BLiSPI, and other stakeholders, it is hoped that a generation of elite footballers will emerge to strengthen the Indonesian National Team on the international stage. "With strong collaboration, we are optimistic that great players will rise to bring honor to Indonesia’s name," Sultan concluded.