KUDUS – The name Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi has emerged in youth women's football after she was selected for a training camp with the Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team in France. For the 13-year-old from Kudus, born December 5, 2012, the experience marks a significant milestone in a journey that began on local pitches in her hometown.
A student at SMP Negeri 3 Kudus, Syifa currently plays for the school's team, Spegaku, as well as the club Balistha. Despite her young age, her daily routine is balanced between schoolwork and intensive football training throughout the week. Her stint with the national youth team in France has broadened her perspective, providing invaluable lessons in both the sport and personal discipline.
Syifa’s football career began during elementary school when she followed her sibling to a local football academy. Initially, she had no intention of playing herself.
Curiosity eventually led her to join in. What began as a casual attempt quickly transformed into a central part of her life.
She began training seriously in the second grade. Over time, consistent practice, competitive matches, and interaction with teammates solidified her passion for the game.
According to Syifa, football has taught her more than just technical skills; it has fostered independence, maturity, camaraderie, and the ability to adapt to new environments.
Versatility is a hallmark of her game as a young athlete. Syifa can effectively play as a midfielder, forward, winger, or even goalkeeper, depending on her team's tactical requirements.
Beyond the pitch, she is also passionate about athletics—particularly running—which she enjoys both for fitness and as a way to spend her spare time.
As a student and young athlete, Syifa manages a demanding routine. Her school day runs from the morning until approximately 1:00 p.m. After resting and preparing, she heads back to the field for training.
Training sessions typically begin around 4:30 p.m. and continue until Maghrib. She follows this schedule nearly every day of the week.
Maintaining a seven-day-a-week training schedule is an essential part of her process to improve her performance. Amidst the hectic schedule, support from her family, coaches, friends, and school environment plays a crucial role in keeping her motivated.
SMP Negeri 3 Kudus also accommodates athletes through its Special Sports Class (KKO) program. This initiative serves as a form of school support for students who are involved in intensive athletic training.
However, the path has not always been easy. Syifa acknowledged that she has experienced physical exhaustion and, at times, felt unable to keep up with the intense training rhythm.
Encouragement from her parents and coaches has been a primary source of motivation, helping her recover and push forward with her training.
One of the moments Syifa remembers most vividly is receiving the news of her call-up to the Indonesia U-17 women's national team.
She received the notification through a private message from the national team manager. She admitted that upon first receiving the news, she felt both surprised and honored.
The opportunity to join the national squad has been a new experience for the Kudus-based player. In addition to meeting players from various regions across Indonesia, she has also had the chance to participate in training programs overseas.
"I was shocked and proud. I didn't expect to get such an opportunity," she said.
For Syifa, the call-up served as a gateway to a broader football environment than she had previously experienced.
The most memorable experience in Syifa's football journey occurred while participating in a program with the Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team at Clairefontaine, France.
Syifa, alongside her Della, a teammate from Spegaku Balistha, was selected for a football training program in France organized through a partnership between the French Football Federation (FFF) and PSSI. Participants included members of the Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team and select athletes from the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026. While in France, participants underwent various training sessions and skill development drills guided by Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team coach Timo Scheunemann.
Over the course of about a week, she engaged in various training activities and internal matches with her teammates. Although friendly matches were originally scheduled, the agenda shifted to focus primarily on internal scrimmages.
Despite the brief duration, the experience of being in a country with a deep football tradition provided her with many new lessons.
Syifa admitted she could hardly believe she was training in Europe at such a young age.
"I was so happy. It felt like a dream to be playing football on a different continent," she said.
In France, she also had the opportunity to train alongside more senior players from the national team setup—a highlight of her time during the training program.
Initially, she felt awkward being among older players, but the team's inclusive atmosphere made the adjustment period much easier.
She went on to build friendships with players from various regions, which became one of her most cherished memories outside of on-field training activities.
One of the most significant takeaways for Syifa during her time in France was learning new training methodologies.
She noted distinct differences in training emphasis between her experience in Indonesia and in France. While training in Indonesia typically covers a broader range of activities, the program in France focused heavily on the nuances of fundamental techniques.
Precision passing, ball movement speed, and passing quality were areas that received special attention.
This focus on technical details provided a new experience, which she has sought to implement since returning to Indonesia.
Beyond technical aspects, she observed the importance of discipline in an athlete's daily life. Proper rest schedules, nutrition, and daily routines are integral parts of the player development process.
She has since shared those lessons with her club teammates after returning to Kudus.
"I learned many new things there, including basic techniques, discipline, and dietary habits," she said.
Being in a different country naturally presents unique challenges. One of the things Syifa felt most acutely was the difference in climate.
While accustomed to the warm temperatures in Indonesia, she had to adapt to much colder conditions during her time in France, where temperatures reportedly reached around six degrees Celsius.
Although initially surprised, she managed to adjust to the conditions.
Language barriers were not a major obstacle, as interpreters were available throughout the program to facilitate communication.
In addition to the training experience, she holds fond memories of lighter moments, such as the time she accidentally locked her hotel room key inside and needed assistance to unlock the door with a spare card.
Another interesting experience was trying different foods in France, with chicken, yogurt, fruits, and eggs being staple parts of her diet.
However, one item did not quite suit her palate: croissants. She felt the texture of the signature French pastry differed from what she is accustomed to in Indonesia.
Despite her international exposure, Syifa still views Kudus as a vital part of her journey.
For her, the city where she grew up represents home, a source of support, and the motivation to continue growing.
The backing of her family, coaches, school, and the football community in Kudus provided the foundation that helped her achieve her current experiences.
She expressed pride in representing her hometown on various occasions, including when she was selected for the national team program.
This experience has reinforced her commitment to further developing her football skills in the future.
Even after training in Europe, Syifa believes this journey is only one step in a longer process.
She remains determined to play in Europe again in the future. Her interest in European football is also fueled by her favorite player, Federico Valverde, whom she admires for his powerful shooting ability.
For Syifa, the experience in France is not an endpoint, but part of an ongoing learning process.
She hopes to continue developing as a player and contribute positively to her team.
To children with similar dreams, Syifa advises them not to give up easily when facing adversity.
"Keep your spirits up and never give up until you reach your goal. Paris is one step, but there are still bigger dreams for Indonesia," she said.
Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi's journey illustrates how dedicated coaching, a supportive environment, and consistent training can provide young athletes with opportunities to gain broader competitive experience. From the practice fields of Kudus to a French soccer academy, Syifa continues her development as a rising player committed to pursuing her future athletic aspirations. (sns/mkk)
