During the PSSI awards ceremony held on Saturday, March 28, Teddy Tejahjono, the director of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, announced the honoring of the Hartono family, specifically Michael Bambang Hartono and Robert Budi Hartono, in recognition of their efforts to promote and develop sports in Indonesia.
Teddy confirmed that this recognition comes as part of appreciating the efforts made by the Djarum Foundation and everyone who contributed to the success of the MilkLife Challenge, which aims to enhance women's football in the country.
Event Details
The MilkLife Soccer Challenge, which launched for the first time in 2023 in the city of Kudus, has expanded to include 12 Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Malang. The program is organized twice a year in each city, reflecting its commitment to expanding participation in women's football.
The program has seen a significant increase in the number of participants, with approximately 5,163 participants in the first series of 2024, rising to 10,051 in the second series, and then 17,492 in the first series of 2025-2026. In total, 32,706 female students have participated since the program's inception.
Background & Context
Women's football in Indonesia is an area that requires more support and development. Despite the presence of many talents, the infrastructure and resources needed to develop these talents remain limited. Therefore, initiatives like the MilkLife Soccer Challenge play a vital role in promoting women's sports.
The Djarum Foundation was established to promote sports in Indonesia and has significantly contributed to the grassroots development of football. The honoring of the Hartono family comes as an important step in this direction, as their support is considered a cornerstone in building a bright future for women's sports.
Impact & Consequences
The recognition of the Hartono family serves as a strong motivation for further investments in women's football, which may lead to improved performance levels and an expanded participant base. This recognition also reflects the commitment of stakeholders to develop women's sports, potentially encouraging more girls to engage in this sport.
This program is expected to enhance Indonesia's position in the international sports arena, especially with the growing interest in women's football. With an increasing number of participants, strong teams capable of competing at regional and international levels can be formed.
Regional Significance
Women's football in the Arab world also requires more support and development. Indonesia's experience in developing women's football can serve as a model for Arab countries. With many similar initiatives, girls' participation in sports can be enhanced, contributing to achieving gender equality in the sports field.
In conclusion, the honoring of the Hartono family represents a positive step towards promoting women's football in Indonesia and demonstrates the importance of community support in developing sports. The success of such programs can inspire other countries, including Arab nations, to invest in women's sports and enhance its status.