Bireuen Community's Enthusiasm for the Early Age Football Match is Extraordinary.
The enthusiasm of the Bireuen community for the early age football match is so great. Thousands of spectators from various sub-districts filled the SSB Gatra Bireuen Training Center Field, Geudong Alue Village, Kota Juang Sub-district, Sunday, June 22, 2025, to watch the continuation of the 13-Year-Old Football Competition competing for the 2025 SSB Gatra I Rotating Cup.
The cheers of the audience, including women, especially from the parents of the players, were heard throughout the match. They cheered on the young talents who performed with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Although crowded, the atmosphere remained orderly until the long whistle at the end of the match.
In this second week, two matches were presented. The first match brought together SSB Merak Jingga against SSB Ayeum Mata which started at 16.30 WIB. Merak Jingga appeared dominant and secured a 2-0 victory. Continued with the second match at 17.20 WIB, SSB Tjakra Aceh won narrowly 2-1 over SSB Remaja Club Jangka.
This competition is held every Saturday and Sunday from July 14 to August 9, 2025, with eight participating teams from the best Football Schools (SSB) in Bireuen Regency: SSB Gatra, Bireuen (host), SSB Bijeh Mata, SSB Ayeum Mata, SSB Tjakra Aceh, SSB Persibatee, SSB Garuda Mas Bugak, SSB Remaja Club Jangka, and SSB Merak Jingga.
Support came from various groups and became a new magnet for entertainment for Bireuen residents. Ibrahim Hasan, a spectator from Jangka District, welcomed the holding of the competition.
"An event like this is very appropriate for training mentality and testing children's abilities. It would be better if the match was held every afternoon during school holidays," he hoped.
Jefri, a resident of Juli District who came with his wife, also appreciated the initiative of the SSB Gatra management. He hopes that similar competitions can be held routinely in various other regions as part of early childhood soccer development.
"The Bireuen Regency Government and related agencies must be more active in supporting activities like this so that children's soccer development does not just stop at training," he said.
The General Chairperson of SSB Gatra Bireuen, dr. Zulkarnaen Adam, said that the main focus of this competition is development, not just competing for the championship.
"This competition is an event to implement training results, strengthen competitive mentality, instill sportsmanship values, and build teamwork," he explained.
He also emphasized the importance of introducing the meaning of healthy competition to children from an early age.
Match Schedule for Week Three: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 16.30 WIB: SSB Gatra vs SSB Bijeh Mata. 17.20 WIB: SSB Persibatee vs SSB Ayeum Mata.
Sunday, June 29, 2025, 16.30 WIB: SSB Garuda Mas vs SSB Remaja Club, 17.20 WIB: SSB Merak Jingga vs SSB Tjakra Aceh.
The competition is not only an interesting spectacle for the public, but also a stage for continuous development for young Bireuen football talents who have the potential to shine in the future.
