The People's Football Festival, organized by Garuda Gemah Nusantara and Coca Cola, officially launched in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. Former Indonesian national team captain Evan Dimas drew significant attention from local young players. The event features coaching clinics and a mini tournament to scout youth football talents.
The opening of the People's Football Festival took place at Ora Flobamora Stadium in Labuan Bajo on Saturday morning, December 13, 2025. Organized by Garuda Gemah Nusantara (GGN) in partnership with Coca Cola, the event aims to promote football development in remote areas.
Evan Dimas Darmono, who led Indonesia's U-19 team to victory in the 2013 AFF U-19 Cup, served as the main speaker. He led a coaching clinic attended by around 150 young players from Labuan Bajo and nearby regions. The participants showed clear enthusiasm as Evan shared his experiences, making him a major attraction for the youth.
A mini tournament followed, involving four teams and a total of 100 players, running until Sunday, December 14, 2025. This served as a platform for scouting young football talents.
Other notable attendees included PSSI Deputy General Chair Ratu Tisha Destria, East Nusa Tenggara PSSI Provincial Chair Chris Mboeik, Coca Cola Indonesia Communication Lead Fauziah Syafarina Nasution, and GGN Project Manager Antonius Anadri.
Evan Dimas expressed positive support for the event. "Activities like this are very good because sometimes village talents are not highlighted or seen. With festivals like this, they can be noticed," he said. He also emphasized non-technical aspects of football: "Football is not just about technique and skill. There are elements of character, mentality, wisdom, beauty, and harmony that must be built."
Ratu Tisha Destria offered her appreciation, describing the festival as a spark for youth development in regional areas. Beyond field activities, Evan participated in a Nobar (Ngobrol Bola Ramean) session with Coca Cola, set to air on YouTube channel Cuwitan62.
