Rully Nere hopes Piala Soeratin restores Papuan talent to national team

Indonesian football legend Rully Nere has expressed hope that the Piala Soeratin tournament in Papua will help reintegrate Papuan talent into the Indonesian national team. The competition features age groups U-13, U-15, and U-17, providing a structured platform for young players to develop their skills.

Nere, a former Persipura and national team player, noted a decline in the number of Papuan players reaching the national level. He emphasized that consistent youth competitions are essential to restoring Papua's tradition as a major producer of talented footballers. He cited the historical success of Persiss Sorong, which won the national Piala Soeratin in 1987, as an inspiration for the new generation.

The 2026 Papua Piala Soeratin officially opened at Barnabas Youwe Stadium in Jayapura on August 27 and is scheduled to run until September 8. This year's tournament includes 15 teams from various football academies and schools, comprising six U-13 teams, seven U-15 teams, and two U-17 teams.