Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan expressed her support for the holding of the women's soccer tournament "Piala Pertiwi U14 & U16 2025 All Stars" which will be held in Kudus Regency, Central Java.
"This event is certainly a concrete form of providing equal opportunities for girls in the world of sports," she said when met on the sidelines of the quarterfinal match of the 2025 Pertiwi U14 & U16 All Stars football cup at the Supersoccer Arena Rendeng, Kudus Regency, Friday.
He assessed that the collaboration between PSSI, Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, and HYDROPLUS in holding the 2025 HYDROPLUS Piala Pertiwi U14 & U16 All Stars championship was a breath of fresh air for the return of the glory of Indonesian women's football, as well as gender equality in football.
He was delighted to see the participants' enthusiasm and passion, especially when watching the match between the teams from Papua and Yogyakarta. There were even touching moments when several of the losing players couldn't hold back their tears.
"It demonstrates the spirit of struggle and character building. There's an equal platform for boys and girls. In the past, soccer was always associated with boys, but now we're starting to see girls have a place too," he said.
Veronica emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, schools, and parents to support girls in developing their talents in sports, including soccer. Tournaments like the Pertiwi Cup can provide a pathway to professional careers for these children.
