October 10th, 2026 | Broadcast
Neo Gen Football Academy has been officially launched, preparing young Bandung talent for the professional level.
BANDUNG, 10 October 2026 – Neo Gen Football Academy was officially launched at Tarantula Soccer Field in Bandung on Saturday (10/10/2026). The academy aims to build a foundation for developing young players and open the way for West Java talent to reach the professional level and international competition.
Academy founder Sergio van Dijk stressed that the academy, conceived with Rizky Bagja and Raphael Maitimo, is more than a place to train. Neo Gen FA wants to offer a clear development pathway for children who dream of becoming professional footballers.
Through Neo Gen FA, we want to help children in West Java, especially Bandung, have a pathway to professional football.
Sergio van Dijk, at the launch
One of the academy’s main focuses is giving players experience of playing at international level. Its U-10 team is scheduled to play in the Singa Cup tournament in Singapore at the end of October 2026, while the U-14 team is planned to take part in the ASEAN Youth Cup in November.
Friendlies with foreign teams
Neo Gen FA also plans matches and tournaments pitting its players against foreign teams, including from Australia and Thailand, to raise their level and broaden their horizons.
We want children who are part of the future of Indonesian football to have international experience. That is why we are trying to open opportunities through matches against teams from overseas.
Sergio van Dijk, former Persib Bandung striker
Sergio believes the progress of Indonesian football at national-team level needs to be matched by strong development from an early age. Long-term success, he says, cannot rely on national-team results alone but needs a foundation built through grassroots development.
Football development must start from the grassroots too. What is happening now may be a short-term result, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio van Dijk
For development
Co-founder Rizky Bagja stressed that success in youth development is not measured only by wins or trophies. What matters most is whether players understand and apply the curriculum and principles of play they are taught.
What we measure is actually not the result, but how these children can apply the curriculum.
Rizky Bagja, former Persib Bandung goalkeeper
He hopes the system will produce players with good technical ability and understanding of the game. Neo Gen FA is expected to give young talent from Bandung and West Java the chance to develop their potential on the road to professional football.
Rizky also thanked West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan and West Java DPRD Chairman Bucky Wibawa, who attended and supported football development in Bandung.
Source: Bola.com (translated from Indonesian)
