Teknowarta – Asep Saputra, Director of Competitions at I.League, has dismissed claims that the organization is struggling to finalize the schedule for the upcoming season. Addressing concerns regarding the long-awaited return of the Piala Indonesia, Asep confirmed that plans to revive the tournament after a seven-year hiatus are already well underway.
The Piala Indonesia has not been held since the 2018/2019 season, when PSM Makassar secured the title after a 2-1 aggregate victory over Persija Jakarta in the final. Despite its status as one of the most prestigious football competitions in the country alongside the league, the tournament has remained dormant ever since.
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Public speculation had suggested that the tournament’s absence was due to administrative confusion within the league’s scheduling department. However, Asep firmly rejected this narrative during a press briefing on Tuesday (May 19).
“I have noticed a narrative suggesting that the I.League is confused about scheduling the competition. We have never once stated that the league is struggling to find room for it,” Asep stated.
He explained that the I.League is actively working on the tournament’s revival under the direct guidance of PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir, who has prioritized increasing the number of matches for Indonesian clubs. According to Asep, the framework for the tournament is already prepared, and the league is merely fine-tuning the details.
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“We have the calendar and the plans are in place. While I cannot share the specific details just yet, we are preparing something that is calculated and precise. We are definitely not confused,” he added.
The I.League is currently focused on harmonizing the schedule for the upcoming Super League and Championship seasons. A crucial part of this process involves avoiding conflicts with international fixtures, including the AFC Champions League Two, the AFC Challenge League, and the ASEAN Club Championship.
“We want to ensure complete synchronization—aligning the Super League, the Championship, and any additional tournaments we launch, while also accounting for AFC and ASEAN commitments,” Asep explained.
Looking ahead, the I.League intends to announce the official status of the Piala Indonesia once all preparations are finalized. Asep urged the public to stay tuned to the official I.League website for updates, noting that more information could be expected within the next week.
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Summary
I.League’s Director of Competitions, Asep Saputra, confirmed plans to revive the Piala Indonesia after a seven-year hiatus, dismissing claims of scheduling difficulties. He stated that the tournament, last held in 2018/2019 when PSM Makassar won, is actively being prepared under PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir’s guidance. The league is not confused about its schedule, and the framework is already in place.
Saputra emphasized that the I.League is meticulously fine-tuning details while harmonizing the schedules for the Super League, Championship, and various international competitions. An official announcement regarding the Piala Indonesia’s status is expected soon, possibly within the next week, once all preparations are finalized. The public is urged to stay updated via the official I.League website.