Sports Minister Backs U-23 Team Withdrawal from AFF Cup due to Covid-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali on Friday responded to the decision made by the U-23 national team to pull back from the 2022 U-23 AFF Cup. The Indonesian team made the decision after coach Shin Tae-yong found seven out of 29 players had tested positive  for COVID-19.

This situation was announced in the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) official website on Friday, February 11. Four of its players are currently under the status of COVID-19 suspects, while four others are injured. 

Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) secretary-general Yunus Nusi said, “With deep regret, we have to cancel Indonesia's participation in the AFF U-23 Cup for the reasons above. We apologize to all parties because this situation is beyond our control. We are now focusing on the healing of players affected by COVID-19 and those injured.” 

Minister Zainudin said he understands the decision taken by PSSI and acknowledged the main coach’s decision to withdraw from the AFF Cup.

“We must not push ourselves in the midst of a situation like this. It is an incident that is beyond the will of the coach, the federation, let alone the government,” he said in an official statement issued on the Ministry’s website. 

He urged PSSI to focus on the recovery of its U-23 players who have been exposed to COVID-19. Zainudin referred to the National Games in Papua last year and is optimistic that the athletes will recover swiftly. “Athletes actually have great physical fitness. Especially considering they are all vaccinated. I hope they recover soon.”

Read: Indonesian U-23 Team Withdraws from AFF U-23 Championship: PSSI

MUHAMMAD NURHENDRA SAPUTRA