To Become a Professional Footballer, Firman Utina Reminds Coaches and Parents to Collaborate

TANGERANG, KOMPAS - The Director of Dewa United Academy, Firman Utina, emphasized the role of collaboration between coaches and parents in realizing the aspirations of children to become professional football players. Coaches are responsible for nurturing the fundamental skills of the players, while parents are tasked with ensuring that children receive proper nutrition, which is essential for the growth of footballers.

This was conveyed by Firman while closing the training clinic session at the Kompas League U-14 Fair Powered by BRI 2024-2025, on Sunday (4/5/2025), at the Indomilk Arena Stadium, Tangerang, Banten.

Based on this, Firman emphasized to the parents of the players to trust the training plans and processes of the coaches at the soccer school (SSB) that are developing their children. On the other hand, Firman mentioned the role of parents in focusing on instilling discipline in the players, such as ensuring adequate rest and nutritious meals to meet their nutritional needs.

"In order to become professional football players, children must receive proper training from licensed coaches, as well as nutrition and attitudes developed through discipline from their parents," said Firman.

Firman, assisted by five coaching teams from the Dewa United Academy, provided basic football technique training to 100 children from two age categories. There were 50 children aged 8-10 years, and another 50 children aged 11-12 years.

Specifically for children aged 8-10 years, the training lasting 1.5 hours is focused on developing passing skills, first touch, and dribbling. The children receive instructions to perform passes, control passes, and dribble the ball by zig-zagging through mini cones.

Adrian Mahrez (9), one of the participants, looked very serious listening to the coaching team's instructions. He tried to follow the directions well.

"Tired but I'm happy," said Mahrez, who regularly attends soccer training at SSB Salfas Soccer.

Then, for children aged 11-12 years, their training is slightly more complex. They are trained to perform one-touch passes, then control and kick the ball with different feet.

The session for that age category concluded with a mini game featuring five players against five players without a goalkeeper. The brief game lasted approximately five minutes.

I would like to express my gratitude to their coaches at the football school where they have been training all this time. Their fundamental skills are already far superior compared to players of my generation at their current age.

The diligence in training was also demonstrated by Jejak Sisir Langit (12), another participant. Wearing the away jersey of the Indonesian national team in white, Langit showcased his agility in making passes and a commendable first touch.

"I have a desire to play in the Kompas League," said Langit, who trains with Young Warrior and Persija Muda.

Firman stated that the participants of the Liga Kompas training clinic this season already possess a good foundational skill set. He mentioned that the players are equipped to further enhance their abilities.

"I am grateful to their coaches at the football school where they have been training all this time. Their fundamental skills are already far superior compared to players of my generation at their current age," said Firman, who recorded 66 appearances with the Indonesian national team from 2001 to 2014.

One of the parents of the participants, Bimo, also acknowledged that his child is very enthusiastic about attending the coaching clinic. The presence of Firman and playing at the football stadium is the reason for this.

"(This training) is a valuable experience for my child," he said.

Furthermore, one of the best attacking midfielders in Indonesia in the 2000s praised the consistency of Liga Kompas in conducting youth competitions. According to him, the journey of Liga Kompas, which is entering its 12th season, is rarely found in the climate of national football development that lacks regular competitions to nurture young players.

"For the development of players, the most important aspect is the organization of matches. Players need parties that hold matches every week, not just one or two weeks," he said.

Not only players, added Firman, PSSI through the technical field also needs more competitions to monitor the nation's best talents.

"I know that Liga Kompas has been running for a long time, for 12 years. When scouts want to find players from a tiered league, Liga Kompas is certainly the best choice. I hope Liga Kompas continues to endure," said Firman, the father of Rayhan Utina, a midfielder for Persela Lamongan who is on loan from Persija Jakarta for Liga 2 2024-2025.