Ketua Umum Federasi Futsal Indonesia (FFI) Michael Sianipar menyatakan kesepakatannya terhadap kritik tajam pelatih Timnas futsal Hector Souto mengenai belum maksimalnya perkembangan olahraga tersebut di berbagai level pada Sabtu (9/5/2026).
Pernyataan ini muncul setelah pelatih asal Spanyol tersebut menyoroti perlunya pembenahan menyeluruh di tengah keberhasilan Indonesia menembus peringkat ke-14 dunia menurut data FIFA, sebagaimana dilansir dari detikSport.
Michael menegaskan bahwa pencapaian tim nasional saat ini diraih dalam kondisi infrastruktur dan ketersediaan sumber daya manusia yang belum mencapai standar ideal nasional maupun internasional.
"I am very much in agreement with the opinion expressed by Coach Hector on Instagram. That this achievement comes even amidst our conditions that are not yet ideal," kata Michael Sianipar kepada detikSport.
Pemimpin federasi tersebut menyoroti ketimpangan fasilitas olahraga yang tersebar di wilayah Indonesia serta minimnya jumlah tenaga kepelatihan yang mengantongi sertifikasi resmi saat ini.
"Talking about futsal court facilities throughout Indonesia, there are still many things that do not meet the standards. Then the need for our coaches who have certification and qualifications is still insufficient," lanjut Michael Sianipar.
Optimisme tetap diusung oleh pihak federasi yang meyakini bahwa perbaikan kualitas infrastruktur akan secara linear meningkatkan posisi tawar Indonesia di kancah persaingan futsal global di masa depan.
"Meaning that in conditions that are not yet ideal, we have already reached 14th in the world. Especially if these things can be fixed. If they can be improved, I am even optimistic we can reach 10th in the world, and certainly enter the World Cup," papar Michael Sianipar.
Meski mengapresiasi lonjakan 10 tingkat di ranking FIFA, Michael mengingatkan seluruh pemangku kepentingan agar tidak terlena dengan prestasi sesaat dan tetap fokus pada agenda transformasi organisasi.
"But we must also realize that we can do even more. More than this. As long as we all want to improve together," tegas Michael Sianipar.
Michael mengakui adanya kesenjangan kualitas dalam struktur futsal nasional, terutama terkait keberadaan kompetisi rutin yang menjadi wadah pengembangan bakat pemain di berbagai daerah.
"Yes, this is part of the process. The process we are doing together with Coach Hector as our technical director. So, what Coach Hector said is actually self-criticism. Because Coach Hector is also part of the federation. The Head Coach also acts as the Technical Director," ujarnya Michael Sianipar.
FFI telah melakukan pemantauan langsung ke berbagai wilayah pelosok untuk memetakan ruang kosong dalam pengembangan atlet yang perlu segera diintervensi oleh kebijakan federasi yang lebih tepat sasaran.
"So, that is the result of his observations after traveling all the way to Papua. Yesterday the entire coaching team from the Technical Director's team to the tip of Sumatra, the tip of Papua, the reality is indeed that Indonesian futsal is still uneven. There are still many empty spaces, which we are actually trying to fill. One by one," jelas Michael Sianipar.
Langkah konkret mulai diambil dengan menggulirkan liga level dua pada musim ini guna menciptakan jenjang kompetisi yang stabil bagi para pemain muda yang sebelumnya minim menit bermain.
"It is an extraordinary thing. However, imagine if our PFL-2 (Pro Futsal League) is already stable. Then, even below that, there is also what we are planning, which is the AFF U20 Cup," ungkap Michael Sianipar.
Federasi memproyeksikan pembentukan tim nasional kelompok umur mulai dari U-16 hingga U-20 secara berjenjang dari tingkat regional hingga nasional dalam kurun waktu lima tahun ke depan.
"Later, there will be U18, U16, in tiers. From regional to national levels. This is homework that might still take time, but in the next 2-5 years, then it can all be realized. If we are serious, we can level up," tegas Michael Sianipar.
