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)
October 10th, 2026 | Broadcast
Three former Persib Bandung players, Rizky Bagja, Sergio van Dijk and Raphael Maitimo, have officially launched Neo Gen Football Academy in Bandung. Its U-10 squad will play at SingaCup in Singapore at the end of October 2026.
BANDUNG, FOKUSJabar.id – Three former Persib Bandung players, Rizky Bagja, Sergio van Dijk and Raphael Maitimo, officially launched Neo Gen Football Academy at Tarantula Soccer Field in Bandung on Saturday (10/10/2026).
Sergio van Dijk explained that the academy he leads does not simply hold routine training sessions. It aims to polish young players so that they gain match experience up to the international level.
Today is the opening of our football academy, Neo Gen Football Academy. And we want to help the children of West Java and Bandung build a pathway to professional football.
Sergio van Dijk
Neo Gen U-10 Heading to SingaCup
Neo Gen Football Academy currently coaches the U-10 age group and has already planned a series of international competitions.
The U-10 squad will take part in SingaCup in Singapore at the end of October 2026, while the U-14 team is ready to play at the ASEAN Youth Cup this coming November.
Sergio stressed that testing themselves against teams from abroad is a crucial asset, so that young Indonesian talent is ready for the competition of professional football.
Maitimo and Rizky Bagja Stress the Importance of the Curriculum
Raphael Maitimo welcomed the enthusiasm of the children who packed the training ground. He believes Indonesia has an abundance of local football potential, which needs sustained development.
I am very proud that this is the first time Indonesia could become champions (of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026). But if we look at the development of Indonesian football, I also hope that those who run Indonesian football invest in youth development. That is very important.
Raphael Maitimo
That is why I strongly support Neo Gen Football Academy, because we want to help and also give more opportunities to all young players.
Raphael Maitimo
Another founder of the academy, Rizky Bagja, explained that his team has already started testing itself in tournaments and has reached a semi-final. Even so, he places applying the curriculum above the final result of a match.
Yes, of course there is pride for me. Because what we are really working on is not a result, but how these children can apply the curriculum.
Rizky Bagja
Support from West Java Leaders and a Senior Coach
The academy is further strengthened by the involvement of senior coach Rahmad Darmawan, who serves as Technical Advisor. Rizky hopes that a partnership with the regional government can strengthen the youth development ecosystem in Bandung and West Java.
The launch was attended by the Deputy Governor of West Java, Erwan Setiawan, and by the Chairman of the West Java Provincial Legislative Council, Buky Wibawa Karya Guna.
A number of Persib Bandung legends from different generations also livened up the event with an exhibition match against the Neo Gen Football Academy coaching team.
Reporting: Arif. Editor: Irfansyah Riza.
Source: FOKUSJabar.id (translated from Indonesian)
Article Link: https://fokusjabar.id/2026/10/10/neo-gen-football-academy-resmi-dibuka-di-bandung-pemain-u-10-siap-tampil-di-singacup/
August 10th, 2026 | Broadcast
Bayan Group, through Bayan Peduli, has teamed up with Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation to stage the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) Series 2, an early-age girls’ football tournament, in Samarinda and Banjarmasin. One of the best players from Samarinda has been confirmed for the squad heading to SingaCup 2026.
Samarinda – Bayan Group, through Bayan Peduli, has collaborated with Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation to successfully hold the early-age girls’ football tournament MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) Series 2 in Samarinda and Banjarmasin.
The event made history as the first year the MLSC tournament landed in East Kalimantan Province.
The competition involved 1,303 girls from 93 Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (Islamic primary schools) and primary schools. They were divided into 124 teams, made up of 60 Age Group (KU) 10 teams and 64 KU 12 teams from the two cities.
Bayan Group director Merlin expressed her pride in the enthusiasm shown by the participants throughout the tournament. According to her, the competition runs in step with the company’s larger vision.
Bayan Group, through Bayan Peduli, remains committed to realising our vision of ’Real Work, Building the Nation’ by creating an inclusive platform for local talents to shine on the national and international stage.
Merlin, Director, Bayan Group
She stressed that the tournament is not merely about chasing titles, but about building the character, discipline and courage of the younger generation.
Similar praise came from MLSC Program Director Teddy Tjahjono, who said Samarinda has enormous potential for long-term development even though it is a debut city.
The enthusiasm of the girls in Samarinda is extraordinary. We saw a very high fighting spirit, courage and willingness to learn. This is an important asset for the development of the women’s football ecosystem in East Kalimantan.
Teddy Tjahjono, Program Director, MLSC
South Kalimantan officials at the final
Present at the final, South Kalimantan Deputy Governor and Chair of the PSSI South Kalimantan Provincial Association, H. Hasnuryadi Sulaiman, praised the tournament as an answer to the high interest in girls’ football in Banjarmasin.
I urge parents and teachers not to focus only on instant achievements, but to prepare their daughters to become outstanding human resources heading toward Golden Indonesia 2045.
H. Hasnuryadi Sulaiman
From regional series to the national stage
The tournament continued to the national level, with 192 athletes chosen from 12 cities across Indonesia sent to compete in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars, held on 24-28 June 2026 in Kudus, Central Java.
MilkLife Soccer Challenge head coach Jacksen F. Tiago explained that competition this year was far more even and competitive. He projects the All-Stars as an important bridge opening the way for Indonesian women footballers to international-scale tournaments.
The best girls will be prepared to represent Indonesia at the international SingaCup 2026 in Singapore for KU 12 and KU 14, which will run from 31 October to 7 November 2026.
Jacksen F. Tiago
Notably, one of the best female players of the All-Star team from Samarinda is confirmed to have passed selection and will strengthen the Merah Putih squad to compete in the Lion City.
The achievement, the article concludes, shows that tiered development outside Java has produced real results in finding the best potential among girl footballers from an early age.
Source: Bisnis.com
July 30th, 2026 | Broadcast
Fuerza FC pulled off a convincing 3-1 victory over Arayat Athletic Academy to rule the U12 division of the Copa Haribon Championship last Sunday at the Vermosa Football Field in Imus, Cavite.
Dos Royo opened the scoring parade before Ethan de Claro registered a brace to help the Lipa City-based young booters clinch the crown and secure the right to represent the country in the prestigious Singa Cup in Singapore this November.
Zach Hernan Ilao, a Grade 6 student at De La Salle Lipa who will also participate in the final round of the HKIMO on 22 August, also had some significant contributions at the defensive end while providing support to Fuerza strikers in the crucial stretch of the match.
Coached by Megs Sindayen and managed by April Mosca, the squad clinched a pair of individual awards to underscore its dominance in this grassroots football tournament that aims to foster sportsmanship and build tournament experience at an early age.
Nathaniel Andal emerged as Most Valuable Player while James Michael Tey bagged the Best Goalkeeper plum. Meanwhile, Jansen Monje, who scored the lone goal for Arayat, lifted the Golden Boot award.
Source: Daily Tribune (Philippines)
Article Link: https://tribune.net.ph/2026/07/29/fuerza-secures-singa-cup-ticket
July 11th, 2026 | Broadcast
Tha Kham Witthayakhom School, under the name Phrae United Club, advanced to the next round at COPA NAKA by finishing first in Group E.
CHIANG MAI, 11 July 2026 – Ms Lucky Thongchai, deputy director of Tha Kham Witthayakhom School, was assigned by Acting Sub-Lt Chulasak Saodaen, director of Tha Kham Witthayakhom School, Mueang district, Phrae province (Secondary Educational Service Area Office Phrae), to announce the results of the COPA NAKA football tournament.
The international tournament is being played at the Alpine golf course in Chiang Mai in the under-14 age group on 10-11 July 2026 (2569 in the Thai calendar).
Tha Kham Witthayakhom School, SESAO Phrae, playing as Phrae United Club, progressed to the next round by finishing first in Group E.
Source: Chiang Mai News (translated from Thai)
Article Link: https://www.chiangmainews.co.th/learning/3966625/
July 8th, 2026 | Broadcast
Baysavanh FC’s under-10 team won COPA NAKA 2026 – U10 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, winning all six of its matches, and earned the right to play in Singapore in November 2026.
VIENTIANE, 8 July 2026 – The under-10 (U10) youth football players and coaching staff of Baysanvanh FC (Baysavanh FC) arrived back in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, on 6 July 2026 through the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 1 international checkpoint. They returned after winning the championship trophy at the international youth football tournament “COPA NAKA 2026 – U10” in Chiang Mai province, Kingdom of Thailand, held from 4 to 5 July 2026.
The trip was led by Mr Bounmy Liemxayachak, President of the Lao National Blind Football Federation, Vice-President of the Vientiane Capital Football Federation and Honorary President of Baysavanh FC. He travelled with the team to follow and encourage the players closely, showing the attention being paid to developing grassroots football in Lao PDR.
Taking part in the tournament was an excellent opportunity for the young Baysavanh FC players to gain real experience, develop their skills and learn the standards of play at international level. It also spread the name and progress of Lao youth football more widely on the international stage.
COPA NAKA 2026 – U10 brought together teams from 14 countries across Asia: Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Lao PDR, the Maldives, Mongolia and Myanmar.
An Unbeaten Road to the Title
- Group stage, first match: Baysavanh FC 14-0 All Star
- Group stage, second match: Baysavanh FC 11-0 Elite
- Group stage, third match: Baysavanh FC 8-1 Spartans
- Quarter-final (last eight): Baysavanh FC 7-0 Chiangmai FA Bx Wachirawit
- Semi-final (last four): Baysavanh FC 7-1 Lampang Arena
- Final: Baysavanh FC 5-2 Spirit Academy
With the title, the team also earned the right to go on and play in Singapore in November 2026.
What Comes Next
Next, the young Baysavanh players plan to travel on to compete in Shanghai, China, on 12 July 2026. Earlier, the club’s team in this age group also won an international championship in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.
Report: Siphone.
Source: Setthakit-Sangkhom (Socio-Economic News), Lao PDR (translated from Lao)
Article Link: http://sethakit-psx.la/detail14561.html
July 5th, 2026 | Broadcast
Former Indonesia national team player Sergio van Dijk is building the Neo Gen Football Academy football school in Bandung with former Persib goalkeeper Rizky Bagja.
BANDUNG, 5 July 2026 – The academy was set up to provide early-age football development focused on building character and technical ability, and to open a path to international tournaments.
Neogen was founded on the basis that we are former players who may have played in the Indonesian football league, especially myself personally. Then there is the figure of Sergio van Dijk.
Rizky Bagja
Sergio will be one of the founders with us, and there will also be a former national-team coach who will be our technical adviser.
Rizky Bagja
Rizky Bagja said the concern and sense of responsibility is for development rather than results alone. That is what sets Neo Gen apart from other academies: it recognises that winning is not the priority, but rather a systematic module of development suited to each age category.
In our view, our concern is development. Today people want to win instantly, whereas the context of development is how a child progresses from not being able to being able.
Rizky Bagja
This is what we want, to make a difference at Neogen: we must trust progress, and results for young ages will certainly follow.
Rizky Bagja
The academy founded by Sergio van Dijk and Rizky Bagja held a selection on Friday (3/7/2026) at the PPI Pusenif field in Bandung for the tournament in Singapore. Neo Gen Academy is holding staged selections from Saturday (4/7/2026) at the same field to take part in the U10 football tournament in Singapore called Singa Cup, in October-November.
Neo Gen Academy will compete against other ASEAN clubs. Rizky Bagja stressed that the target is not to chase the title but to gain competitive experience for the development stage.
The competition in Singapore is indeed an annual, regular event on an ASEAN scale; the Singapore event is called Singa Cup.
Rizky Bagja
The academy’s director and coaching staff draw on experienced figures, such as Regi Aditya, the coach who led PSBS Biak to the 2023-2024 Liga 2 title. Regi Aditya will be Academy Director, joined by coaches Ronald Innova and Dadan Sukmana, who also contributed at PSBS Biak, and Sigit Hermawan, who led Persib to the 2014 title.
Coach Regi Aditya is our academy director. He is a former Persibo Bojonegoro coach and the PSBS Biak coach who won promotion to Liga 1. Most recently he was assistant to Coach Rahmad Darmawan at Persipura.
Rizky Bagja
Source: Kompas.com (translated from Indonesian)
Article Link: https://bola.kompas.com/read/2026/07/05/13111998/proyek-sergio-van-dijk-dirikan-akademi-sepak-bola-di-indonesia
July 3rd, 2026 | Broadcast
A total of 230 young Bandung footballers took part in Neo Gen Academy’s trials to compete for 15-20 places at the international Singa Cup tournament in Singapore.
The article opens with three summary points:
- 230 young Bandung footballers took part in the Neo Gen Academy selection to compete for 15-20 places at the international Singa Cup tournament in Singapore.
- Dedi Kusnandar said international events are important for young players to measure their ability, broaden their horizons and focus on the development process, not just chase victories.
- Neo Gen Academy stresses continuing development, with a character curriculum, scholarship opportunities and overseas training partnerships, to form a generation of footballers with a progressive mentality.
Bandung, IDN Times – A total of 230 young footballers in Bandung took part in a selection process to compete for the chance to play in the international Singa Cup tournament in Singapore.
Neo Gen Football Academy founder Rizky Bagja said that of the hundreds of participants, only about 15 to 20 players in the 10-year-old age group will be sent to Singapore. Players in the 15-year-old group are being prepared for a tournament in Bali this coming September.
The selection is split into several waves. The first stage involved about 70 players, while a follow-up selection is scheduled for the weekend to find the best talents.
In Indonesia there may be a few representatives, and Persib’s academy usually sends representatives there regularly. We are joining this competition to find and increase the experience of young footballers from Bandung.
Rizky, Friday (3/7/2026)
1. The best players will appear at Singa Cup
Players who pass the selection will represent the academy at Singa Cup in Singapore. The tournament is an annual competition involving age-group teams from various countries in the ASEAN region. He explained that the competition is joined not only by football schools under official associations but also by academies and privately formed teams that meet the organisers’ requirements. Besides sending a team to Singapore, Neo Gen Academy is also preparing the 15-year-old group for a tournament in Bali scheduled for September 2026.
2. Early development matters for learning about cultures abroad
Former national team player Dedi Kusnandar said the chance to play in an international tournament is important provision for young players’ development. In his view, football development is a long-term process, so match experience has to be made the most of.
It’s certainly important because we can see how far our ability, skills and experience go when playing there. Winning is not the main goal at this age because their football journey is still long.
Dedi
He said international competition is a chance for players to measure their ability and learn their strengths and weaknesses that still need to be fixed. According to Dedi, facing opponents from other countries will also open young players’ eyes to the quality of play outside Indonesia.
In Bandung they may see play like this, but when they go abroad they will see different quality, maybe even better. So don’t make being champions the main goal, but enjoy the process, because that is the most important thing.
Dedi
3. Football academies must put the development process first
Neo Gen Football Academy itself was founded by several former professional Indonesian footballers who want to contribute to grassroots development. The academy will also involve former national players and coaches as part of its coaching team. The academy’s main focus is not chasing titles in a short time but building a continuing development process so that players develop according to their age stage. The plan is for training to be centred at the Sabuga ITB area, chosen because it is judged to have adequate facilities to support better development of young players.
Neo Gen Academy is a football academy in Bandung that emerged with a mission of change. The change relates to the curriculum and character education that are currently the academy’s concern in developing children’s football, oriented to children’s progress and development, with being champions a bonus of the stages passed. Neo Gen offers a pathway to high-achieving students with scholarship classes under a promotion and relegation system. They will get a chance to taste training or trials abroad because Neo Gen has cooperated with several teams, including in Japan, Portugal and the Netherlands, to give the children experience with the goal of dreaming of playing not only in the local industry but daring to try new things with the mindset of playing in competitions abroad.
Source: IDN Times
Article Link: https://jabar.idntimes.com/sport/soccer/ratusan-pesepak-bola-cilik-bandung-berebut-tempat-turnamen-singapura-00-9y7yl-m9k7cc
July 3rd, 2026 | Broadcast
Hundreds of 10-year-olds took part in Neo Gen Football Academy’s trials in Bandung as the academy prepares a squad for the international SingaCup tournament in Singapore in November 2026.
jpnn.com – BANDUNG – Hundreds of 10-year-old children enthusiastically took part in the youth football development trials held by Neo Gen Football Academy.
The Bandung, West Java-based football academy is preparing young players to compete in the international tournament SingaCup in Singapore in November 2026.
Neo Gen Football Academy founder Rizky Bagja said the selection took place in two batches, on Friday (3/7/2026) and Sunday (5/7), at the PPI Pussenif field on Jalan Katamso, Bandung.
The total in the selection in the first batch right now is 70 people, and the next one will be held on Sunday. In total about 230 players are attending and registered for the selection.
Rizky Bagja, on site
Rizky said that from the hundreds of participants, Neo Gen will narrow it down to 20 who will be taken to the SingaCup 2026 tournament. Players aged 15, meanwhile, will be prepared for a local tournament in Bali this coming September.
So Neo Gen will open the academy in stages. We won’t open every age group straight away; we want to give a structured concept, so we first prepare the components at the ages we consider able to give benefit.
Rizky Bagja
The selection also involved former professional footballers up to Indonesia national team players, namely Sergio van Dijk and Dedi Kusnandar.
Source: JPNN
Article Link: https://www.jpnn.com/news/siapkan-tim-ke-singacup-2026-neo-gen-jaring-bibit-muda-lewat-seleksi-di-bandung
July 3rd, 2026 | Broadcast
Bandung has a new platform for early-age football development. Neo Gen Football Academy has officially begun by holding selections for the 10-year-old age group, as part of building an academy that puts character development, education and sustained technical improvement first.
BANDUNG, 3 July 2026 – Academy founder Rizky Bagja said the academy was born in response to the need for more structured youth football development. In his view, success at early ages is measured not only by the number of titles but by the development of players’ ability and character.
We want to bring a change in development. Our focus is player progress. Winning is a bonus from a process done properly.
Rizky Bagja
As a first step, Neo Gen held a selection attended by about 70 participants in its first stage at PPI Field on Friday (3/7/2026). Enthusiasm was high, with about 230 players registered in total. The next selection is scheduled for this weekend.
From all the participants, Neo Gen will choose about 15 to 20 of the best 10-year-olds to represent the academy at Singa Cup in Singapore, one of the prestigious youth tournaments in Southeast Asia. The 15-year-old group is being prepared for a tournament in Bali scheduled for September.
Rizky explained that Neo Gen is not opening all age groups at once. The academy chose to build its foundation first by starting with the 10 and 15 age groups, before growing to cover ages 6 to 15, so that human resources, curriculum and facilities are fully ready to give players the best development.
Neo Gen also carries a curriculum different from typical football development. Besides technical training on the pitch, students will get support from a sports psychologist, nutrition consultations with a doctor, English classes, a parenting programme for parents, continuous training, friendlies and the chance to enter various tournaments.
We want to form players holistically, not only their football ability but also their character, mentality and readiness for future challenges.
Rizky Bagja
Opportunities are also offered through a scholarship programme for outstanding students. Neo Gen applies a promotion-and-relegation system so every player has an equal chance to get the best facilities according to their progress.
Beyond domestic competition, Neo Gen has built partnerships with clubs in Japan, Portugal and the Netherlands, opening the way for young players to join training programmes and trials abroad.
We want to be a bridge for children who dream of playing at international level. They must have the mindset that career opportunities are not only in local competitions but also abroad.
Rizky Bagja
Neo Gen involves several names already known in national football. Former Persib Bandung striker Sergio van Dijk is one of the founders together with Rizky. The academy also has the support of Dedi Kusnandar, several diaspora players, and a former national-team coach who will serve as technical adviser. Regi Aditya, whose experience includes Persibo Bojonegoro, PSBS Biak and assistant to Rahmad Darmawan at Persipura, is Academy Director. The coaching team is joined by Ronal, Dadan, Sigit Hermawan, Damar as goalkeeping coach, and Fahri.
Neo Gen plans to make the Sabuga ITB area its homebase. Looking ahead, it targets not only Singa Cup but other international tournaments such as the Gothia Cup.
Source: Radar Bandung (translated from Indonesian)
