SBY hopes trophy tour will inspire national team

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hoisted the touring FIFA World Cup trophy on Tuesday in the hope that the event would inspire the national soccer team in the future.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is being held ahead of the 2014 World Cup, which will kick off in Brazil in June.

The trophy made its stop at the Presidential Palace, ushered by FIFA ambassador and former captain of the Trinidad and Tobago national team Dwight Yorke.

Jakarta is the 57th stopover on the trophy’s nine-month journey across 88 countries. The trophy will be displayed at the Jakarta Convention Center on Wednesday before being taken to Chile.

“The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour gives many Indonesians the chance to experience the magic of the World Cup. This, hopefully, will encourage Indonesia to build a stronger national team so that one day the team might compete in the World Cup final rounds,” Yudhoyono said.

Yudhoyono made the statement before several Cabinet ministers, including Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo and Indonesian national team players Ramdani Lestaluhu and Andritany Ardhiyasa.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Indonesia but the national team has floundered in international games with the latest dismal attempt being its failure to win the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Although in 1938, Indonesia, competing as the Dutch East Indies, was the first Asian team to play in the World Cup, the 1991 SEA Games was the last international event at which the team found victory.

Yorke expressed hope that the upcoming World Cup would not only bring joy to Indonesian people, but would also be a boost for the country’s national team.

“[...] Hopefully one day we can expect Indonesia’s football team to grace the World Cup,” Yorke said.

“This comes with the soccer spirit. I hope this will bring good things to Indonesians,” Roy said. (Ina Parlina)