BANGKA SELATAN -- PT Timah Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the development of young athletes in the Bangka Belitung region by providing assistance to the Tunas Mandiri Football School (SSB) in Desa Rias, Bangka Selatan Regency.
The support provided by PT Timah Tbk includes soccer balls, cones, uniforms, and other training equipment, aimed at boosting the enthusiasm of children as they train in football.
PT Timah’s involvement in supporting SSB Tunas Mandiri comes as a breath of fresh air for the coaches and administrators of the school, who have long been operating independently to provide positive activities for local children through football.
Sukarya, the head of SSB Tunas Mandiri, expressed his gratitude for the support. He said PT Timah’s contribution greatly helps sustain training activities and prepares the team for an upcoming tournament in September.
"We established this football school independently to give children positive activities. We plan to use the support from PT Timah to purchase balls, training equipment, uniforms, and to cover the registration fees for the tournament in September," he said.
Currently, SSB Tunas Mandiri has six age-group teams, including two girls’ teams. In fact, their girls’ team has already achieved success in several open tournaments in Bangka Selatan.
"Alhamdulillah, our girls’ team has won several championships. This support definitely provides extra motivation for the kids," Sukarya added.
Yahya Sudirman, one of the coaches at SSB Tunas Mandiri, emphasized that the football school not only aims to develop talented athletes but also serves as a platform for character building among young people.
"We coach these children to keep them away from street fights, reduce excessive online gaming, and promote a healthy lifestyle in the community. Our main challenges are financial constraints and lack of training equipment. This support from PT Timah truly means a lot to us," he explained.
PT Timah’s contribution is a tangible example of the company’s concern for the development of sports and youth empowerment in its operational areas. Through collaboration with the community, PT Timah hopes to nurture more talented football players from Bangka Selatan who can one day bring pride to the region and the nation. (*)
