September 18 – Indonesia Under-17s will undergo a five-week Bundesliga training camp ahead of the 2023 U17 World Cup in November.
The camp, which will be hosted by Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach, aims to prepare 2023 U17 World Cup hosts Indonesia ahead of their first ever appearance in the competition.
It builds on the strong relationship between the DFL and Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) after the two organisations signed an MoU in June 2023.
The Bundesliga Training Camp follows in the footsteps of previous coaching camps with national youth teams from India, Thailand and Vietnam, and underscores the DFL’s commitment to nurturing football talent within Indonesia.
Over the course of the camp, the young Indonesians will be put through their paces in six test matches against various Bundesliga youth sides.
Bundesliga International Chief Marketing Officer Peer Naubert said: “For many years, the Bundesliga’s youth academies have produced some of football’s biggest names, from homegrown German talents to international stars.
While the primary focus of the training camp is rigorous preparation for the upcoming youth World Cup, the DFL say the players will also have the opportunity to experience the ‘unrivalled’ Bundesliga matchday atmosphere as part of their stay in Germany.
“Working in close cooperation with our clubs, with the PSSI and stakeholders throughout Indonesian football, this initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to developing global football talent and sharing the best practices from German football.”
PSSI President Erick Thohir said: “The national training programme in Germany will be an important part of the national team’s preparation for high competition at the FIFA U-17 level where there are strong countries in football with talented players.
“We thank the Bundesliga, as well as two great Bundesliga clubs Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, for their involvement in this high-level preparation for the national team. This is another form of positive collaboration in strengthening relations between the German Football League (DFL) and PSSI. We need support and guidance from German football so that Indonesian football can follow Germany’s success and progress in this very popular sport.”
“We are happy because the Indonesian U17 national team will not only receive technical, tactical and strategic training, but will also experience the atmosphere of the tight Bundesliga competition. I hope this program will leave a strong legacy for young Indonesian players because they have become part of an academy program that has produced world-class football players.”
The project underscores previous work done by the DFL in South-East Asia, namely the ‘Bundesliga Common Ground’ initiative which oversaw the renovation of a community football pitch in Jakarta to offer more young people the opportunity to play and enjoy football.
The U17 World Cup kicks off on November 10.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1731718349labto1731718349ofdlr1731718349owedi1731718349sni@g1731718349niwe.1731718349yrrah1731718349
