JP/Dina IndrasafitriIt came as a surprise for many to see Djohar Arifin Husin settle into the “hot seat” of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI).
Djohar was a dark horse candidate in the long-delayed race to find a successor to the organization’s infamous leader, Nurdin Halid.
But on July 9, the former university lecturer gained a solid victory in the PSSI chairman’s election, picking up 61 of 100 votes in two rounds voting against favorite Agusman Effendi, who was close to Nurdin.
Less than a month after his victory, Djohar continues to be greeted by smiles — especially following the national team’s 4-3 victory over Turkmenistan on Thursday and the Red-and-White’s advance to the third phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Djohar expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, and hoped that the team would learn from the Turkmen’s game in the match’s second half, when it allowed its rivals to score twice.
“We offer a compliment to the team for their unbelievable spirit. The boys performed exceptionally well, although we all know they had very little time to prepare. They evinced great stamina and laudable play,” Djohar said after watching the match at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
In a recent interview, Djohar said that the congress was a perfect platform for executing his personal mission of reforming the PSSI — something which was shared by most of organization’s electors.
“I think it would be dangerous if I didn’t accept their mandate. With God’s consent, I, along with the rest of the PSSI management team, will do the work,” Djohar said.
Djohar said the public’s long-standing lack of trust in the PSSI was the association’s main problem. “The management team and I need to do a lot of hard work while preserving an honest attitude to regain the people’s trust.”
The PSSI’s image was tarnished under Nurdin’s eight-year leadership, which was marked by a host of graft allegations. Nurdin even led the PSSI from a prison cell. The institution had been considered as vulnerable to corruption.
“We have pledged to develop a much clearer financial transparency system by conducting biannual audits with a professional auditor. The results will be available to the public,” Nurdin said.
PSSI has been categorized as a high-valuable national sports organization. Soccer, after all, is the most popular sport in nation after badminton.
A previous Indonesian national team — or more accurately, the Dutch East Indies soccer team — became the only Asian team to play in the World Cup in 1938.
In later years, however, Indonesia failed to repeat its achievement, although the nation gained the title as an “Asian Tiger” for its greatness in the zone.
Djohar was optimistic about mending the rift between the PSSI and its new rival, the Indonesian Premier League (LPI) established by Arifin Panigoro. The business tycoon backed Djohar after his own bid to run for PSSI chief was disallowed by FIFA.
“Both leagues will definitely be merged. However, we don’t know yet how to make it happen. We will hold a meeting with both parties to discuss things further,” Djohar said, adding clubs in Medan, North Sumatra, were willing to merge.
Djohar hoped that the PSSI’s clubs under the Indonesian Super League (ISL) could be made financially independent, as the LPI plans to do for its clubs. Premier League teams will refuse to accept any provincial funds starting next year.
“I know the stakes are high as several clubs may automatically die without regional support. We will help them find sponsors,” he said.
Born in Tanjung Pura, North Sumatra in 1950, Djohar started his athletic career in 1968 by joining the PSL Langkat soccer club as a stopper.
Djohar moved to PSMS Medan in 1973 and played for the North Sumatran team for three years before his life took a different direction.
“In my last year at PSMS Medan, I met a beautiful woman. I thought, ‘I can’t lose her.’ I quit soccer and finished my bachelor’s degree,” Djohar said.
He studied agriculture at North Sumatra State University and married Marina Hutabarat. The couple has four children and three grandchildren.
After his graduation, Djohar worked as a lecturer and eventually earned a doctorate in urban and regional planning.
However, Djohar could not abandon the game, and started to work as a referee. He has held an international referee license since 1981.
Djohar was also the junior national team manager for the Asian Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994; the director of the North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Sports Council (KONI) in 2003; KONI secretary-general in from 2003 to 2005; and vice president of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation between 2003 and 2005.
He was also a deputy chief of the Indonesia Golden Program (Prima) and a staff expert for the Youth and Sports Ministry, among other postings.
“I really want the national team members to acknowledge that they fight for the country. Anything else in between should not be happening for the sake of the team and the PSSI,” Djohar said.
Djohar said that at the end of the day, all he wanted to do was relax with his wife.
“I’m often away from my family to do my job. So when I get free times, I prefer to stay at home or spend some quality time with my family,” Djohar said.
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