JAYAPURA - Papua Football Academy was officially launched by President Jokowi, at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura Regency, Wednesday (31/8/2022) morning, which was marked by the beating of Tifa.

Witnessed by Papuan football legends, Jokowi hopes that this momentum can be used well by the players of Papua who enter the academy, to have a career as top football players at the national and even world levels.

"We know that the land of Papua has born talented players. It has been said that there are Legends of Papuan football such as Rully Nere, we also remember Yohanes Auri, Aples Tecuari, Alexander Puraro, Boaz Solossa, Elly Eiboy, Ramai Rumakiek and Ricky Kambuaya".

"Want to be like them, to be football legends? The way is already in front of you. It is the Papua Football Academy," said Jokowi.

President Director of Freeport Indonesia Company, Tony Wenas, stated that the establishment of the Papua Football Academy was an instruction from President Jokowi which was later realized on the basis of PTFI's commitment to grow and develop with the Papuan people in various fields, including sports.

Thus, Tony hopes that the existence of the Papua Football Academy will be able to form a football team from Papua that is able to compete internationally and can reach the 2030 World Cup.

Papua Football Academy has recruited 50 young talents from 500 Papuan players who participated in the selection. Meanwhile, for the second phase, 30 of Papuan best players will be recruited to study at the academy.

In this event, President Jokowi was accompanied by a number of Ministers of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet, including Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, Minister of Investment/Head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board, Bahlil Lahadalla, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono. ***