The international youth football tournament, Garuda International Cup (GIC) 2024, officially kicked off at ASIOP Training Ground (ATG) Sentul, West Java, on Thursday (August 22, 2024) morning.
A total of 48 teams from eight countries—Indonesia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Singapore—will compete in three age categories: U-10, U-12, and U-17.
Running until Sunday (August 25, 2024), this tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle, featuring elite academy teams from across Asia, including Guangzhou China, Zhejiang China, Shonan Bellmare Japan, Tokyo Selection Japan, ASIOP, and Johor Darul Ta’zim Malaysia.
The opening of GIC 2024 was lively, with thousands in attendance and a range of performances including drone displays with flags and the GIC trophy, dance performances, and percussion shows. The event was also attended by national figures, including Hashim Djojohadikusumo, a Board of Advisory member for GIC 2024.
In his speech, GIC Project Director Wahyu Budiarto expressed his hope that the tournament would become a point of pride for Indonesia, as the Garuda International Cup is the largest international youth football championship held in the country.
“Garuda International Cup has been held four times, making breakthroughs and improvements in quality,” Wahyu said.
“We hope that on the occasion of Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day, Garuda International Cup 2024 will become even larger and a source of pride for Indonesia on the world stage, especially as it highlights the iconic national symbol, Garuda,” Wahyu added.
However, Wahyu noted that the tournament could not be held on such a scale without the support of sponsors. He thanked the sponsors including Transtama Logistics, Bank Mandiri, SOMPO Insurance, Tunas Muda Adhyaksa, Ethiopian Airlines, Belfoods, PT Rut Ester Berjaya Medan, Swissbel Hotel Court Bogor, City Trans Utama, Specs, Bluebird, Aqua, Naos, EMC, Glico, and Sunpride, as well as other supporters for making the tournament possible.
Meanwhile, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, a Board of Advisory member for GIC 2024, expressed his happiness and pride in the tournament.
“Garuda International Cup, as a youth football tournament, provides a great opportunity for players to develop their skills, build character both on and off the field, and share moments with peers from other countries,” Hashim said.
“Football involves winning or losing, but these children will always learn and gain something new from this development tournament. Win well, win sportingly. That is what we aim to teach through this tournament. I believe by investing in youth tournaments like Garuda International Cup, we can create future Indonesian national team players and also open up significant economic opportunities and enhance sports tourism,” Hashim added.
Hashim also noted that international tournaments like GIC are crucial for increasing the experience of young Indonesian players.
“This aligns with the programs of Pak Prabowo (Subianto) and Gibran Rakabuming Raka. I believe that if young players regularly compete in events or tournaments from U-10 to U-17, especially internationally like GIC, their experience will grow, and their track record will be monitored,” Hashim said.
“If these young players frequently participate in competitions or tournaments, they will come under the radar of national teams or professional clubs in a few years. With quality, high confidence, and experience from a young age, they will only need to be refined as they grow,” Hashim added.
This year, the Garuda International Cup continues with the tagline ‘The Season is Coming, Let’s Have Fun,’ meaning the tournament not only offers matches but also provides an extraordinary sportainment atmosphere for players and spectators at the ASIOP Training Ground in Sentul.
The venue features Sompo Arena with exciting games, a variety of food and drink stalls, and entertainment shows. Additionally, GIC 2024 will host a dance competition for high school students and a Mobile Legends tournament.
**Participant List for Garuda International Cup 2024:**
**U-17:**
– ASIOP Merah (Indonesia)
– Guangzhou (China)
– Garuda Lampung City FC (Indonesia)
– Woodland Warriors (Singapore)
– ASIFA (Indonesia)
– Zhejiang (China)
– ASIOP Biru (Indonesia)
– De La Salle Zobel (Philippines)
– Diklat Merden (Indonesia)
– Southridge Admirals (Philippines)
– TSI (Indonesia)
– Chiangmai FC (Thailand)
– ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia)
– Vachiralai United (Thailand)
– Farmel (Indonesia)
– Fajar Selatan (Malaysia)
**U-12:**
– Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia)
– Jakarta Akademi Soccer (Indonesia)
– Tokyo Selection White (Japan)
– ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia)
– Shonan Bellmare (Japan)
– ASIOP Merah (Indonesia)
– Bijaksana FC (Malaysia)
– Borneo FC (Indonesia)
– NFDP (Malaysia)
– Next Bali Generation (Indonesia)
– Boeung Ket FC (Cambodia)
– Shonan Bellmare Indonesia
– HLGC (Malaysia)
– Diklat Merden (Indonesia)
– Tokyo Selection Purple (Japan)
– ASIOP Biru (Indonesia)
**U-10:**
– ASIOP Merah (Indonesia)
– Tunas Johor (Malaysia)
– Nahusam FA (Indonesia)
– MJ Tigers (Malaysia)
– ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia)
– Wira Muda (Malaysia)
– Jagakarsa FA (Indonesia)
– Junior FC (Malaysia)
– ASIOP Biru (Indonesia)
– Perdana United (Malaysia)
– UNI Bandung (Indonesia)
– Velocity (Malaysia)
– Shonan Bellmare Indonesia
– Topo Soccer Academy (Malaysia)
– Farmel (Indonesia)
– Brazilian Soccer School (Indonesia)