October 13th, 2026 | Broadcast
Sergio Van Dijk has founded Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung to nurture young football talent towards the professional level.
STARJOGJA.COM, Info – Former Indonesia national team player Sergio Van Dijk has founded Neo Gen Football Academy in the city of Bandung to develop the potential of young footballers. The academy is set up as a structured pathway so that young players have the chance to develop all the way to the professional level.
Sergio said the academy is there to help children in Bandung and across West Java receive structured football coaching.
He hopes young players can prepare themselves early for a professional career. Speaking in Bandung on Sunday (11/10/2026), he said:
Today is the opening of our football academy, Neo Gen FA. We want to help children in West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio Van Dijk
Neo Gen at SingaCup 2026
Neo Gen Football Academy already has a U-10 age-group team scheduled to take part in the SingaCup tournament in Singapore at the end of October 2026.
Meanwhile, the U-14 team is planned to take part in the ASEAN Youth Cup this coming November.
According to Sergio, taking part in international competitions can give young players valuable experience. The opportunity is also expected to broaden their horizons and sharpen their skills from an early age.
“We have many connections outside Indonesia and want the children who are the future generation of Indonesian football to get the experience of playing in international competitions,” he said.
He stressed the importance of building the foundations of football at the grassroots level. In his view, continuous development is needed so that the progress of Indonesian football is not only focused on short-term results.
I think development must also start from the grassroots. What is happening now may be a short-term success, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio Van Dijk
Sergio also encouraged young players to make the most of the training programme at Neo Gen Academy as part of their journey towards the professional level. He believes the success of youth development is not determined solely by achievements in tournaments.
Being a champion is good, but it is not the main goal. What matters more is the process and the children’s development.
Sergio Van Dijk
Source: Antara
Article Link: https://radiostar.harianjogja.com/2026/10/13/sergio-van-dijk-dirikan-neo-gen-football-academy-untuk-cetak-pesepak-bola-muda/
October 13th, 2026 | Broadcast
The Under-8 players of Sugbu Calidad FC are stepping up in their first international tournament, as they represent Cebu at SingaCup 2026 scheduled for October 31 to November 1 at the Rainforest Sports Hub in Singapore.
CEBU, Philippines, 13 October 2026 – This is a significant assignment for Sugbu Calidad because its young athletes will take their skills onto foreign pitches and compete against youth teams from various countries, including Singapore, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Facing international opponents will provide our young athletes with an opportunity to experience different playing styles, football cultures, and levels of competition.
Sugbu Calidad FC, in a statement
The Sugbu Calidad U8 team is made up of goalkeepers Jacob Daniel Manlegro and Ian Giuseppe Velayo, and field players Gianluca Arnulfo Capacite, Banksy Maynard Estremos, Jacob Matteo Delfinado, Jace Spencer Co, Pio Servus Dei Lee Dino, Vaughn Calix Pedrosa, Benedict Eduard Lim, Juan Xavier Veloso, Chassey Atarah Cabilao and Von Darius Santarita. They are preparing well for the coming competition under coaches Brient Cabarrubias and Garry Garciano.
We want our players to apply what they have learned in training, adapt to different opponents, support one another under pressure, and approach every match with courage and respect. With the continued commitment of our players, coaches, and supportive parents, we aim to arrive in Singapore prepared, confident, and ready to embrace the challenge.
Brient Cabarrubias, coach
For Sugbu Calidad, SingaCup is more than playing for a trophy. It is an opportunity for its young players to test their capacity, gather golden experience and dream big early in their lives.
As a grassroots football club from Cebu, we believe that meaningful development comes not only from training and winning matches, but also from exposing players to new challenges and experiences. Competing internationally will allow our boys to discover different styles of play, develop adaptability, build confidence, and learn the importance of resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Shawn Co, one of the team’s supporters
At this young age, we want them to understand that football is not simply about the results on the scoreboard. It is about the discipline they develop, the friendships they build, the challenges they overcome, and the lessons they carry with them. Above all, we hope this experience inspires them to believe that young footballers from Cebu can dream big beyond their own borders.
Shawn Co
Source: Banat, Philstar.com (translated from Cebuano)
Article Link: https://www.philstar.com/banat/palaro/2026/10/13/2563143/sugbu-calidad-u8-booters-mokumbati-sa-singacup-2026
October 13th, 2026 | Broadcast
(To represent Cebu in SingaCup 2026)
CEBU, Philippines – The Under-8 booters of Sugbu Calidad FC are gearing up for their first international tournament as they represent Cebu in the SingaCup 2026 set for October 31 to November 1 at the Rainforest Sports Hub in Singapore.
This marks a significant milestone for the club as its young players take their skills beyond local competitions and test themselves against youth teams from other countries, including Singapore, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Facing international opponents will provide our young athletes with an opportunity to experience different playing styles, football cultures, and levels of competition. It is a significant milestone for our young players, coaches, and the families who have supported their football journey.
Sugbu Calidad FC, in a statement
We are also deeply grateful to each of our sponsors and supporters for believing in the potential of our young athletes. Your generosity has helped open doors to opportunities that extend far beyond the football field.
Sugbu Calidad FC
The Sugbu Calidad U8 squad is composed of goalkeepers Jacob Daniel Manlegro and Ian Giuseppe Velayo, and field players Gianluca Arnulfo Capacite, Banksy Maynard Estremos, Jacob Matteo Delfinado, Jace Spencer Co, Pio Servus Dei Lee Dino, Vaughn Calix Pedrosa, Benedict Eduard Lim, Juan Xavier Veloso, Chassey Atarah Cabilao and Von Darius Santarita.
The team has been preparing through regular training sessions, additional player-development activities and competitive tune-up matches under the guidance of coaches Brient Cabarrubias and Garry Garciano.
We want our players to apply what they have learned in training, adapt to different opponents, support one another under pressure, and approach every match with courage and respect.
Brient Cabarrubias
With the continued commitment of our players, coaches, and supportive parents, we aim to arrive in Singapore prepared, confident, and ready to embrace the challenge.
Brient Cabarrubias
For Sugbu Calidad, the SingaCup is about more than competing for a trophy. It is an opportunity for young footballers to dream bigger, challenge themselves and experience the game beyond familiar surroundings.
As a grassroots football club from Cebu, we believe that meaningful development comes not only from training and winning matches, but also from exposing players to new challenges and experiences. Competing internationally will allow our boys to discover different styles of play, develop adaptability, build confidence, and learn the importance of resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Shawn Co, one of the team’s benefactors
At this young age, we want them to understand that football is not simply about the results on the scoreboard. It is about the discipline they develop, the friendships they build, the challenges they overcome, and the lessons they carry with them. Above all, we hope this experience inspires them to believe that young footballers from Cebu can dream big beyond their own borders.
Shawn Co
Source: Philstar.com (The Freeman)
Article Link: https://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2026/10/13/2562842/sugbu-calidad-u8-booters-set-first-international-tilt
October 12th, 2026 | Broadcast
Former Indonesia national team striker Sergio Van Dijk and fellow former international Raphael Maitimo have founded Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung. Its U-10 team is scheduled to play at SingaCup in Singapore at the end of October 2026.
BANDUNG – As a sign of his concern for the development of football in Indonesia, former Indonesia national team striker Sergio Van Dijk, together with another former national team player, Raphael Maitimo, has founded Neo Gen Football Academy in the city of Bandung.
According to Sergio, the academy is expected to become a development platform that produces young football talent able to compete up to the professional level.
We want to help the children of West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio Van Dijk, in Bandung on Sunday
He explained that Neo Gen Football Academy already has a U-10 age-group team that is scheduled to take part in the SingaCup tournament in Singapore at the end of October 2026. Meanwhile, the U-14 team is planned to play in the ASEAN Youth Cup tournament this coming November.
Sharpening the Mentality Early
According to him, the experience of competing at the international level is important for broadening horizons, sharpening mentality and improving players’ abilities from an early age.
We have many connections outside Indonesia and want the children who are the future generation of Indonesian football to get the experience of playing in international competitions.
Sergio Van Dijk
Sergio said that player development must start at the grassroots level so that progress can be sustained over the long term.
In my view, development must also start from the grassroots. What is happening now may be a short-term success, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio Van Dijk
Step by Step
Another founder of Neo Gen Football Academy, Rizky Bagja, added that the academy is being built in stages, with an initial focus on the 10-year-old and 15-year-old age groups.
He said Neo Gen Football Academy will select around 15 to 20 of the best players in the 10-year-old age group to represent the academy at Singa Cup in Singapore.
Meanwhile, former Indonesia national team player Dedi Kusnandar supports the founding of Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung as a platform for producing young football talent able to compete up to the professional level.
I appreciate it, because there are now many platforms for children in Bandung and West Java to express their abilities, so that they can achieve more.
Dedi Kusnandar
Source: Mimbar Nusantara (translated from Indonesian)
Article Link: https://mimbarnusantara.com/sepakbola/56273/bantu-kembangkan-sepak-bola-indonesia-sergio-van-dijk-dkk-dirikan-neo-gen-academy/
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Neo Gen Football Academy has been officially launched, preparing young Bandung talent for the professional level.
BANDUNG, 11 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.
Source: OneFootball, republishing Bola.com (translated from Indonesian)
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Neo Gen Football Academy U-10 will represent the city of Bandung and West Java at the Singa Cup 2026 tournament in Singapore from 31 October to 7 November 2026.
Pikiran-Rakyat.com – Neo Gen Football Academy U-10 will represent the city of Bandung and West Java at the Singa Cup 2026 tournament in Singapore on 31 October-7 November 2026. This is the first time the team has played in an international tournament between age groups.
Although the team is relatively new, it hopes that taking part in Singa Cup will add experience and match time for its players. Neo Gen Football Academy was formed by three former Persib players: Sergio van Dijk, Raphael Maitimo and Rizky Bagja.
Sergio said that, besides playing in Singa Cup, Neo Gen Football Academy also plans to send a U-14 team to play at the ASEAN Youth Cup in November.
The former Indonesia national team player added that the academy was set up to help children in West Java get a structured pathway towards professional football.
We want to help the children of West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio van Dijk, in Bandung on Sunday, 11 October 2026
According to him, match experience at the international level is important for broadening the horizons and improving the abilities of young Indonesian players from an early age.
We have many connections outside Indonesia and want the children who are the future generation of Indonesian football to get the experience of playing in international competitions.
Sergio van Dijk
Sergio said the opportunity to compete abroad is part of efforts to prepare a generation of Indonesian players for the long term. He hopes the experience will be a foundation for the players to develop and get to know international football from a young age.
Sergio said that player development must start at the grassroots level so that progress can be sustained over the long term.
In my opinion, development must also start from the grassroots. What is happening now may be a short-term success, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio van Dijk
He believes the development programme run by Neo Gen Academy should be used as well as possible by young players as part of the process towards the professional level. According to him, early-age football development should not be oriented towards winning titles, but towards improving players’ abilities.
Source: Pikiran Rakyat
Article Link: https://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/bola/pr-0110497785/dibesut-eks-persib-neo-gen-academy-u-10-wakili-bandung-di-singa-cup-2026
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Former Indonesia national team player Sergio van Dijk has founded the Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung as a development platform to produce young football talent able to compete up to the professional level.
BANDUNG (ANTARA), 11 October 2026 – Sergio said the academy was formed to help children in West Java get a clear development pathway towards professional football.
Today is the opening of our football academy, Neo Gen FA. We want to help children in West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio van Dijk, in Bandung on Sunday
He explained that Neo Gen Football Academy already has an U-10 age-group team scheduled to take part in the SingaCup tournament in Singapore at the end of October 2026, while its U-14 team is planned to play in the ASEAN Youth Cup in November.
In his view, experience of playing at international level is important for broadening the horizons and improving the ability of young Indonesian players from an early age.
We have many connections outside Indonesia and want the children who are the future generation of Indonesian football to get experience of playing in international competitions.
Sergio van Dijk
Sergio said player development must start at the grassroots level so that progress can be sustained over the long term.
In my opinion, development must start from the grassroots too. What is happening now may be a short-term success, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio van Dijk
He said the development programme run by Neo Gen Academy should be used as well as possible by the young players as part of their route to the professional level, and that early-age football development should be oriented not to titles but to improving the players’ abilities.
Being a champion is good, but it is not the main goal. What matters more is the process and the development of the children.
Sergio van Dijk
Source: ANTARA News Jawa Barat (translated from Indonesian; reporter Rubby Jovan Primananda, editor Riza Fahriza)
Article Link: https://jabar.antaranews.com/berita/711900/sergio-van-dijk-dirikan-neo-gen-academy-di-bandung-demi-cetak-talenta-muda
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Former Indonesia international Sergio Van Dijk has founded Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung as a platform for producing young football talent able to compete up to the professional level. Its U-10 team is scheduled to play at SingaCup in Singapore at the end of October 2026.
Bandung (ANTARA) – Former Indonesia national team player Sergio Van Dijk has founded Neo Gen Football Academy in the city of Bandung as a development platform to produce young football talent able to compete up to the professional level.
Sergio said the academy was set up to give children in West Java a structured pathway towards professional football.
Today is the opening of our football academy, Neo Gen FA. We want to help the children of West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio Van Dijk
Sergio spoke in Bandung on Sunday.
He explained that Neo Gen Football Academy already has an U-10 age-group team that is scheduled to take part in the SingaCup tournament in Singapore at the end of October 2026. Meanwhile, the U-14 team is planned to play in the ASEAN Youth Cup in November.
According to him, match experience at international level is important for broadening the horizons and improving the abilities of young Indonesian players from an early age.
We have many connections outside Indonesia and want the children who are the future generation of Indonesian football to get the experience of playing in international competitions.
Sergio Van Dijk
Sergio said player development must start from the grassroots level so that progress can be sustained over the long term.
In my opinion, development must also start from the grassroots. What is happening now may be a short-term success, but we want to see development over the long term.
Sergio Van Dijk
He believes the development programme run by Neo Gen Academy should be put to the best possible use by young players as part of the process towards the professional level.
According to him, early-age football development should not be oriented towards winning titles, but towards improving players’ abilities.
Being champion is good, but it is not the main goal. What matters more is the process and the children’s development.
Sergio Van Dijk
Source: ANTARA News
Article Link: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5780953/sergio-van-dijk-dirikan-neo-gen-academy-untuk-cetak-talenta-muda
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Next month, three Thane City FC squads will travel to Singapore for Singa Cup 2026, the international youth football tournament.
From 1 to 7 November, our Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 teams will take on clubs from Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Mongolia.
For young footballers from Thane, that means new opponents, new playing styles and new challenges, all packed into one week. It is exactly the kind of experience we want our players to have. This is not our first time at the Singa Cup. Last year, our three age groups played 12 matches at the tournament and came home with plenty to learn from and plenty to be proud of. This year, they return with that experience behind them, ready to take the next step.
The draw
The draw is out. Each squad plays three group matches, and the teams that progress move into the knockout rounds.
- Under-12 (Group D): 1 Nov vs Chonburi FC Soccer School (Thailand); 1 Nov vs SG7 Soccer (Singapore); 2 Nov vs Holroyd Rangers Soccer Club (Australia)
- Under-14 (Group C): 3 Nov vs LS Talents Warriors (Australia); 4 Nov vs Hishigten FC (Mongolia); 4 Nov vs Conscient Sports Delhi (India)
- Under-16 (Group D): 3 Nov vs BISP Cruzeiro (Thailand); 3 Nov vs International School WA (Australia); 4 Nov vs 1v1 Football Club (Malaysia)
More than football
Results matter, and our players will give everything on the pitch. But a football tournament like the Singa Cup teaches far more than football. Players travel together and live as a team. They look after their kit, their routines and each other. They learn to bounce back from a tough game and be ready again the next morning. They meet young players from different countries and cultures, and discover that football is a language everyone speaks.
These are the life skills we work on every day through our Thane football coaching programmes: Confidence, Independence, Teamwork, Respect and Resilience. A week in Singapore puts all of them to the test at once. That is what holistic growth looks like for us. The player who comes home is not just a better footballer, but a more confident young person.
Our players are very excited. They will face teams from different countries with different styles of football. Every match will teach them something new, on and off the pitch. We want them to enjoy it, learn from it, and come back as better players and better people.
Sumit Barua, Head Coach of the Thane City FC Under-12 team
None of this would be possible without our parents. Sending a child abroad for a tournament takes a lot of trust, and we never take that lightly. Thank you for believing in our coaches, in our club and, most of all, in your children. When these young players walk out in Singapore, they will carry the name of Thane football with them. Our whole community stands behind them, and we cannot wait to share their stories when they return.
Source: Thane City FC (original English text)
Article Link: https://www.thanecityfc.com/news/thane-city-fc-singa-cup/
October 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Two former Indonesian footballers, Sergio Van Dijk and Raphael Maitimo, are directly involved in grassroots player development through Neo Gen Football Academy (Neo Gen FA).
jpnn.com, BANDUNG – Two former Indonesian footballers, Sergio Van Dijk and Raphael Maitimo, are directly involved in developing young players through Neo Gen Football Academy (Neo Gen FA). The football academy, founded by the two, has arrived in Bandung with a mission to open the way for young talent towards the professional level.
The opening of Neo Gen Football Academy is the first step for Sergio and Maitimo in building a football foundation from the grassroots. The two want to give children in Bandung and West Java the chance to receive quality development as well as experience competing at the international level.
Sergio Van Dijk said the academy’s founding is not just about providing a football training place for children. More than that, Neo Gen FA is designed to prepare a sustainable development pathway for young players who aspire to become professional footballers.
Today is the opening of our football academy, Neo Gen FA. We want to help children in West Java and Bandung create a path to professional football.
Sergio, in Bandung, Sunday (11/10/2026)
The former Persib Bandung striker explained that Neo Gen FA has prepared several competition programmes to sharpen its players’ abilities, one of them through age-group teams taking part in international tournaments.
Source: JPNN
Article Link: https://www.jpnn.com/news/cara-sergio-van-dijk-dan-raphael-maitimo-dukung-pembinaan-pemain-usia-dini
