By: Chappy Hakim
Indonesia’s crushing defeat at the hands of Australia in a recent international football match is not just about tactics or the scoreboard. It runs deeper than that—it reflects the national psyche, revealing how, as a country, we are often tempted by shortcuts instead of embracing the long, demanding road that builds true strength and lasting success.
In recent years, Indonesian football has seen a surge of enthusiasm. The hiring of a renowned South Korean coach and the recruitment of naturalized players from Europe and the diaspora sparked national pride and excitement. Packed stadiums, buzzing media, and euphoric fans painted the illusion that we were on the brink of global glory—just a step away from the World Cup podium.
But when a crushing defeat comes—especially against a team like Australia, whose strength lies in grassroots development and a solid league system—we are forced to confront a sobering reality. Victory cannot be manufactured overnight. True champions are not born of shortcuts. There are no detours in the natural law of human and national development.
We must recognize that football is more than just a sport. It reflects work ethic, character education, honesty, humility, and long-term commitment to youth development. And this is where we often fall short. We are obsessed with instant results: trophies, medals, and applause. We forget that football, at its core, is a powerful tool for nation-building and character formation. On the field, children learn teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, perseverance, integrity, humility, and patriotism—values essential to shaping the soul of a nation.
So when we fast-track foreign players into citizenship within months, what message are we sending to the young talents scattered across the archipelago, who train with passion and dedication year after year? When selection processes are bypassed by political decisions, where is the space for those who rely solely on grit and hard work? Are we not teaching the next generation that success can be bought with money, connections, and policy—rather than earned through effort?
As an educator, I am deeply concerned. Fanaticism, when not accompanied by maturity, turns football into a spectacle of image-building rather than a platform for growth. Our youth, instead of being empowered as players, are relegated to the sidelines as mere spectators. Watching their national team filled with “imported talent,” they quietly lose hope—and with it, their dreams.
The only path to building a strong, character-driven national team is early-stage development, paired with a sustainable and healthy league system. There is no magic wand. No sleight of hand. Just time, consistency, patience, and integrity—from coaches, officials, and policymakers alike.
Indonesia’s painful loss to Australia should serve as a wake-up call. It’s time to stop chasing illusions. Let’s return to the roots of the game. Start with schools, communities, local football academies, and regional tournaments. Allow the process to run its natural course. Let the national team emerge from the sweat and determination of local talent, nurtured by homegrown coaches with integrity, backed by a professional and enduring league system.
Once again, winning is not the ultimate goal—it is merely a by-product of a long, meaningful journey of character-building. This is our role as educators: to remind everyone that nation-building, even through football, is about planting seeds, nurturing growth, and patiently harvesting the fruits. Football is a game rich with personal values—it teaches courage,chivalry, humility, and integrity. And sports, let us be clear once more, is not about shortcuts.
Jakarta, March 23, 2025
Chappy Hakim – Indonesian Center for Air Power Studies
