CINJUR VOICE – The coach of the U-17 Indonesian National Team, Bima Sakti, has provided an assessment of the quality of the diaspora players who are currently participating in the training camp (TC) ahead of the 2023 U-17 World Cup.
In his statement, Bima Sakti explained that currently there are four diaspora players involved in the U-17 Indonesian National Team TC.
They are Welberlieskott De Halim Jardim (Brazil), Igor Arungbumi Sanders (Netherlands), Althaf Fawwaz Khan (United States), and Aaron Liam Suitela (Australia).
However, the coach also revealed that there are several diaspora players who have the same or even lower quality than local players.
Also Read: The Indonesian National Team Hopes to Win Big Against Timor Leste in the U-23 AFF Cup
Since the beginning, Bima Sakti has decided that if the quality of diaspora players is the same as local players, then the choice will fall on local players.
“However, there are several players whose quality is the same, even below our local players. From the beginning I said that if the quality is the same, I will choose our players.” he said.
Bima Sakti further revealed that if diaspora players have qualities far above local players and make a big contribution to the team, then he will give them a chance.
However, if the quality of diaspora players is below standard, then it is better to choose players who have received soccer education at SSB (Football School) and academies in Indonesia.
“However, if the quality is far above the local players and their contribution is big for the team, we will give them a chance. But if the quality is below that, what’s the point? We’d better choose players who have been educated at SSB and academies in Indonesia.” he concluded.
