RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is stepping up efforts to advance women’s football by sending its U‑17 national team to train at Clairefontaine, France, one of the world’s most prestigious development centers. The week‑long camp is part of a broader strategy to raise the quality of young players and prepare them to compete at the global level.

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir emphasized that the program is a serious step to raise the physical, tactical, and mental standards required to compete at the global level.

“Sending players abroad is not just a short‑term program, but part of our commitment to elevate the quality of the national team so they can compete internationally,” Erick said in a statement on Sunday, May 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The strategic program is the result of close collaboration between PSSI and the French Football Federation (FFF), aimed at exposing Indonesian players to elite football and modern training curricula. Erick expressed appreciation to the FFF for its openness and support in developing Indonesian women’s football talent.

During the week‑long camp, Timo Scheunemann’s team will not only undergo technical training but also play friendly matches and observe the coaching system that has produced world‑class players such as Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappé.

Timo believes that training at Clairefontaine offers young players a rare opportunity to absorb discipline, knowledge, and professionalism in a top‑tier environment.

“The opportunity to train at Clairefontaine is rare. We want the players to absorb as much knowledge, discipline, and professionalism as possible from the best football environment in the world,” he said.

Erick, who also serves as Minister of Youth and Sports, stressed that this initiative is only the beginning of a broader plan to transform women’s football in Indonesia. ***