Ole Romeny, Tim Geypens, And Dion Markx Are Officially Indonesian Citizens And Are Ready To Defend The National Team

The Minister of Law, Supratman Andi Agtas, officially administered the oath of allegiance to three football athletes undergoing naturalization: Ole Lennard ter Haar Romenij, Dion Wilhelmus Eddy Markx, and Tim Henri Victor Geypens. This ceremony took place in London on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Supratman emphasized that naturalization is not just a change in citizenship status but a key part of a larger strategy to enhance national sports achievements. "This moment is not only about changing citizenship but also about our great hopes for Indonesia's progress," he stated.

He explained that the naturalization of athletes is governed by Law Number 12 of 2006 on the Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia. In this context, citizenship changes occur for national interests or for individuals who have contributed significantly to Indonesia.

The naturalization process involves several agencies, including the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Citizenship Examination and Research Team (TP3K), the Ministry of State Secretariat, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Intelligence Agency, and relevant sports organizations. Athletes must also go through various stages, including seeking approval from the House of Representatives (DPR RI). Supratman expressed hope that the inclusion of quality players in the Indonesian National Team would increase the Garuda team's chances of competing in prestigious international events, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, Asian Qualifiers Round 3, and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, with goals of ranking in the top 100 in FIFA and the top 10 in Asia during FIFA Matchday.

"This is a grand aspiration for all Indonesians, including President Prabowo," he added. Furthermore, Supratman highlighted that the presence of diaspora athletes of Indonesian descent reflects the government's commitment to providing equal opportunities for them to represent the nation.

Tag: Ole Romeny Tim Geypens