Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York on Wednesday, pledging closer cooperation to develop football in Southeast Asia’s largest nation.The meeting, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, focused on infrastructure upgrades, youth training and raising professionalism in Indonesian football, the presidential office said in a statement.
Prabowo thanked FIFA for its support, saying football played a unique role in Indonesia as both a national unifier and a pathway for young people to broaden opportunities.
Infantino welcomed Indonesia’s commitment and said FIFA was ready to back the country’s initiatives, from hosting international tournaments to strengthening grassroots development.
He said the world football body aimed to help Indonesia build a sustainable foundation that would meet regional and global standards.
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Indonesia, home to more than 270 million people and one of the world’s most passionate football fan bases, has been striving to lift the quality of its domestic game.
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The government and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) have pursued reforms in recent years after safety concerns and governance failures drew global attention.
The Prabowo–Infantino talks underline continuity in efforts to restore confidence and accelerate development, as Indonesia looks to achieve greater success in regional competitions and strengthen its presence on the world football stage.
