Bandung Legend U-10 Football Team Ready to Win TAR-Asia Qualifiers in Thailand

Bandung Legend captain, Adrian Alninemar Airlangga or who is often called Nemar, said that he and his team had prepared themselves to compete against other teams on the international stage.

"We've been training for a month. We've prepared clothes, shoes, other equipment and money," said Nemar when met at the team's release event at the Bandung City Hall, Tuesday 12 December 2023.

To be more solid, Nemar said, his team needed to play sportsmanship and remain calm.

"To make the team solid, we just play sportsmanship, don't get carried away by emotions," he said

He hopes that together with the Bandung Legend team he can bring Indonesia to become a champion and make his parents proud.

Similar to Nemar, one of the best U-10 players in Bandung City, Juan Felyx Adam, said that he and his team would leave on Thursday 14 December 2023.

"The preparations, including equipment for going, food and money, have been covered by the football school (SSB). We have also trained from Monday-Saturday, starting at 16.00-18.00 WIB. Sunday is off," said Juan.

He admitted that he was happy to be able to represent Indonesia in Thailand. Because this is the first time he has competed abroad.

"I am a defender on the soccer team. My dream is to become a professional soccer player. The hope is that I can become a champion in the next match and make my parents proud," he said.

Meanwhile, the Acting Mayor of Bandung, Bambang Tirtoyuliono, expressed his pride in the young generation who are ready to make the city of Bandung proud.

He promised to maximize facilities for athletes and help ensure that their education can continue smoothly even though they are busy with football practice.

"On behalf of the Bandung City Government, I pray and apologize if it is felt that the current facilities are not optimal. God willing, in the future they will be more optimal, especially for young athletes," said Bambang.

"I will communicate with the Head of the Education Department that while we are competing our children's formal education will not be disturbed. We will find a solution," he added.

He also advised players not to feel too burdened by winning. However, competing with a sportsmanlike spirit is an important key.

"Don't ever think about winning. But compete to the maximum. Sportsmanship is what is important," he asked.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Youth and Sports Service (Dispora), Eddy Marwoto, explained that the U-10 team had won the West Java regional level when competing in Bogor. Not only that, the Bandung Legend U-10 team won national level in Bali.

"These champions were finally sent to compete in Bangkok, Thailand on 16-17 December 2023. PSSI never stops holding competitions to bring out new seeds of football athletes in the city of Bandung," said Eddy.

The countries that will compete in the upcoming TAR-Asia Qualifiers league include Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos. The Bandung Legend team is in group F with clubs from Vietnam and several Thai teams.

"Hopefully these children will win. If they win, they will be sent to the match in Barcelona which will be held on April 23-29 2024," he explained.

He added that this match was an opportunity and innovation for the City of Bandung to routinely create tiered and sustainable match activities at an early age. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office

Yayan A. Brilyana