Player Naturalization News: President Jokowi Signs Presidential Decree of Indonesian Citizens Sandy Walsh and Jordi Amat

Posted On: November 12, 2022

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – One more step in the process naturalization of players Sandy Walsh and Jordi Amat are about to settle down. Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali has revealed that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has signed a presidential decree (Keppres) regarding the granting of Indonesian citizenship to the two footballers.

“The presidential decree has been signed and all that remains is to take the oath,” Zainudin Amali said in Jakarta, Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

The presidential decree for Sandy is numbered 5/PWI in 2022, while for Jordi it is numbered 6/PWI in 2022. Then they just have to undergo the process of taking the oath as citizens of Indonesia (WNI) and obtain passports.

After going through all the stages, Sandy and Jordi can be called up to the Indonesian national team that will participate in the 2022 AFF Cup. The final registration of a large number of players, namely a maximum of 70 players, for the Cup AFF 2022 will take place on November 20, 2022.

“We hope that later we can register for the AFF Cup,” Zainudin said.

However, the Menporas admitted they did not know when Sandy and Jordi took the oath of Indonesian citizenship. However, he assured that both players will become Indonesian citizens first in comparison Shayne Pattynama.

Shayne, a player from the Netherlands, has just had his naturalization meeting at Commission III DPR RI, Wednesday November 9, 2022.

“I think Sandy and Jordi will be the first to (become Indonesian citizens). For Shayne, the naturalization process can be quick if all the administrative requirements are met,” Zainudin said.

Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali (second from right), Wamenkumham Edward Hiariej (second from left) and PSSI General Chairman Mochamad Iriawan (right) attended a working meeting with DPR Commission III to discuss the naturalization of footballers Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh at Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta on Monday, August 29, 2022. In the meeting, all members of Committee III of the Indonesian Parliament agreed on the naturalization of Sandy Walsh and Jordi Amat for them to become citizens of Indonesia (WNI) so that the two footballers from Belgium and Spain could be lined up for the match against Curaçao in September 2022. ANTARA PHOTO/Aditya Pradana Putra

Short profiles of Sandy and Jordi

Sand Walsh, 27, and Jordi Amat, 30, are both defenders who have had long careers in Europe. Everyone comes from the Netherlands and Spain.

Sandy who has never worked outside of Belgium. Currently, the player who plays as a right-back defends the KV Mechelen club in the Belgian league.

Temporary, Jordy Amat He played for Espanyol, Swansea City and Real Betis. Now he plays in the Malaysian Super League for the Johor Darul Ta’zim team.

Sandy Walsh and Jordi Amat. (Instagram/hasanabdulgani)

AFF Cup TC Map

The Indonesian national team will face the 2022 AFF Cup tournament which will be held from December 20 to January 16, 2023.

The training camp to prepare for the event is due to start on November 28, 2022. However, PSSI has not confirmed the location of the TC, whether in Jakarta or Bali.

In this AFF 2022 Cup, Indonesian national team are in Group A with defending champions Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia and the winner of the qualifier between Brunei Darussalam and Timor Leste.