PAPUA, Jayapura – PT Freeport Indonesia or PTFI held the Freeport Junior Cup 2024 Chapter Jayapura tournament through the Papua Football Academy or PFA, to encourage the potential of young people in the Land of Papua. The tournament took place at the Ottow Geissler University Football Field, Kotaraja, Jayapura City, Papua, on Monday (16/12/2024).
“This tournament aims to increase competition for young people, especially in Jayapura City,” said PTFI Senior Vice President Sustainable Development, Nathan Kum. He hopes that the tournament will bring out the best talented players in Papua.
“We also ask that these young people show their quality, so that this cooperation continues to be encouraged. The matter of winning and losing is normal, the most important thing is to maintain togetherness, so that one day we can make Papua proud outside,” he said.
Chairman of the Provincial Association (Asprov) PSSI Papua Benhur Tommy Mano said Papua is a warehouse of soccer players. He gave an example of Papua similar to Brazil which is known as a warehouse for famous soccer players.
“I often say that the warehouse of soccer [players] is in Papua. God gives [his gift] in the Land of Papua only [talent] singing and soccer,” he said.
He said that opportunities must be given to Indigenous Papuans (OAP) to develop their talents, because OAP has various sports potentials.
“I am sure that young people will replace their seniors soccer players, such as Boaz Solossa and his friends. I also hope [young people] do not consume alcoholic beverages. Thank you to PT Freeport Indonesia for always encouraging and developing the potential of these young people,” he said.
The Freeport Junior Cup 2024 Jayapura Chapter lasted for two days from Monday (16/12/2024) to Wednesday (18/12/2024). The tournament was attended by 8 soccer teams in Jayapura City including Papua Football Academy Unity, SSB Petra, Volta PLN, SSB Papua United, Papua Football Academy Fairplay, SSB Heijnes, SSB Batik, and SSB Putra Pasifik.
