Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali in Gorontalo province. (ANTARA/Debby Mano/uyu)

…we are developing (Gorontalo) Public Senior High School 6 to be dedicated as a sports school.Gorontalo (ANTARA) – The Youth and Sports Ministry and Gorontalo province’s Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) organized an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) C License in Coaching course to support the development of soccer athletes in the province.

"We expect an improvement in the quality of football coaches, thus they can train (the players) optimally. It becomes an important concern at the Youth and Sports Ministry," Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali remarked here on Friday.

The course was attended by 25 participants from various eastern regions of Indonesia.

“One of the prerequisites to improving our football (achievements) is (to advance our) human resources. (Our) human resources must have good qualifications,” the minister said.

One of the aspects that can help change the quality of football in Indonesia is an adequate number of quality coaches, hence, the ministry has realized that the provision of good coaching is very important, he added.

Amali noted that earlier, there were many football athletes from Gorontalo on the national team, therefore, he said he supported the implementation of the coaching course in the province.

It is hoped that in the future, the province will be able to generate many national soccer players again, he said.

"Our goal is only one: bringing back the glory of Gorontalo soccer players, which is being able to join the national football team," he added.

Meanwhile, acting governor of Gorontalo Hamka Hendra Noer lauded the support from Minister Amali and the general chairperson of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan, for the development of the sport in the province.

“We really want to produce human resources who can excel in sports in Gorontalo, especially in football. Even, we are developing (Gorontalo) Public Senior High School 6 to be dedicated as a sports school. Please support (our efforts)," he said.

The coaching course involved the former captain and midfielder of the Indonesian national football team from Gorontalo, Firman Utina, as well as a number of current senior and U-20 national team players.

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Translator: Debby Mano, Uyu LimanEditor: Sri Haryati Copyright © ANTARA 2022