Four Dutch Female Footballers Officially Naturalized

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The government has signed the naturalization documents for four female football players from the Netherlands to become Indonesian citizens. The inclusion of these players of Indonesian descent is expected to further solidify the position of football as an icon and ambassador of achievement in the homeland.

The four female football athletes are Iris Joska De Rouw, Velicia Victoria De Zeeuw, Emily Julia Fredica Nahon, and Isa Guusje Warps. Before being naturalized as Indonesian citizens, they were citizens of the "windmill" country, the Netherlands.

The Director General of General Legal Administration (AHU) of the Ministry of Law, Widodo, during the "Oath of Allegiance Ceremony for Four Women Football Athletes" at the Ministry of Law office in Jakarta, Tuesday (10/6/2025), stated that the naturalization of the four female football athletes has received consideration and approval from Commission XIII and also Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

The decision has been established in a plenary meeting of the DPR as a proposal from the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The Directorate General of AHU is tasked with providing a clarification of citizenship status to the individual concerned. The naturalization process has also involved considerations from other ministries, namely the Ministry of State Secretariat, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

Thus, procedurally, all administration related to his citizenship has been completed. Currently, it remains for the individual to technically join the Indonesian national team.

"Thus, procedurally, all administration related to his citizenship has been completed. Currently, it remains for the individual to technically join the National Team or Timnas Indonesia to provide support, training, and also participate in championships that will be determined by PSSI and the Ministry of Sports in the future," said Widodo.

For information, naturalized player Felicia Victoria de Zeeuw was born in Delft, on January 19, 2006. The 19-year-old player is a tier 1 attacking midfielder from the Den Haag club. She has Indonesian blood from her grandmother, Felixia Adelie Kuhuwasi, who was born in Jakarta, August 22, 1940.

Next, player Iris Joska de Rouw was born in Rotterdam on April 21, 2005 and is 20 years old. He is a tier 2 goalkeeper who joined the Sparta Rotterdam club. He has Indonesian blood from his mother. His grandmother, Christina Salomonson, was born in Lumajang, East Java, January 17, 1949.

Athlete Isa Guusje Warps was born in Veldhoven on June 3, 2005. The player who is currently 20 years old is a Dutch tier 1 winger from the club NAC Breda. He has Indonesian blood from his father. His grandmother is named Fhilhomena Wilma Satine Rouschop who was born in Padang, West Sumatra on December 30, 1949.

Lastly, Emily Julia Frederica Nahon was born in Oegstgeest on May 17, 2007. The 18-year-old is a Dutch tier 1 center back for ADO Den Haag. Emily has Indonesian ancestry from her father. Her grandmother is Julie Andrette Margot Rancuret, born in Bogor, West Java on April 29, 1949.

The government hopes that the four athletes can provide maximum and optimal contributions to the country. Thus, sports achievements - both at the national and international levels - will continue to improve.

Currently, the Women's National Football Team ranks 50th in the world and 10th in Asia. The inclusion of these four naturalized players is expected to enhance achievements, such as in the final round of the AFC Women's Asian Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035, in which Indonesia is also expected to participate.

"Well, it is hoped that with them having joined at this age, those who are around 18-20 years old, it will be very easy and it is expected that they will be able to achieve better accomplishments," said Widodo.

Widodo added that one of the legal political policies in the field of football, which has been conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Chairman of PSSI, is the desire to make football an icon and ambassador of achievement in the country. President Prabowo Subianto strongly supports this and hopes that the women's national team can achieve success similar to that of the men's national team.

In the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualification matches, the Indonesian national team successfully defeated China with a score of 1-0 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Thursday (5/6/2025).

Separately, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi urged supporters of the national team to consistently provide support in every match. Support is necessary both when they succeed in winning a match and when they face defeat.

Because, all of these results are part of Indonesia's struggle on the world stage. "No more asking, where are you from? Where is this from? Everyone is happy. If the game is not good, we must give encouragement. So be a good audience, for the sake of the Indonesian National Team, if we love the republic," said Prasetyo.