KUDUS – The name Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi has emerged in youth women’s football circles following her selection for a training camp with the Indonesia U-17 Women’s National Team in France. For the 13-year-old Kudus native, born December 5, 2012, this experience represents a major milestone in a journey that began on local fields in her hometown.
A student at SMP Negeri 3 Kudus, Syifa—as she is affectionately known—currently plays for the school’s team, Spegaku, and the Balistha club. Despite her young age, she maintains a rigorous schedule, balancing schoolwork with near-daily football training. Her stint with the Indonesia U-17 Women’s National Team in France provided a formative experience, broadening her perspective on the sport while reinforcing the importance of discipline.
Syifa’s football career began in elementary school when she followed her older sibling to a local football academy. Initially, she had little interest in the sport herself.
However, curiosity eventually led her to join in, and what began as a trial soon transformed into a central part of her life.
Syifa has been dedicated to the sport since second grade. Over time, regular training, matches, and team interactions have solidified her passion for the game.
According to Syifa, football has taught her more than just field techniques; it has fostered independence, maturity, camaraderie, and the ability to adapt to new environments.
Versatility has become a hallmark of her game. Syifa can effectively fill various roles on the pitch, including midfielder, forward, winger, and goalkeeper, depending on her team's requirements.
Although her daily life revolves around the soccer field, Syifa has other interests. She is an avid athlete, particularly in track and field, with running serving as a favored activity to maintain her fitness and occupy her spare time.
As both a student and a young athlete, Syifa manages a demanding schedule. School activities run from morning until approximately 1:00 p.m. After a brief period for rest and preparation, she returns to the field for training.
Training sessions typically begin around 4:30 p.m. and conclude at sunset, a schedule she maintains nearly every day of the week.
This commitment to seven-day-a-week training is essential to her development. Amidst her busy schedule, the support of her family, coaches, peers, and school environment has been a critical factor in sustaining her motivation.
SMP Negeri 3 Kudus also accommodates its athletes through the Special Sports Class program (KKO). This initiative provides institutional support for students engaged in intensive athletic training.
However, the journey has not always been easy. Syifa acknowledges that she has experienced physical exhaustion and moments of doubt regarding her ability to sustain such a rigorous training pace.
Encouragement from her parents and coaches has served as a key source of motivation, helping her persevere through her training regimen.
One of the most memorable moments for Syifa was receiving news of her call-up to the Indonesia Women's U-17 national team.
The information was delivered via a private message from the national team manager. Upon receiving the news, she recalled feeling both surprised and proud.
Joining the national squad has provided a new experience for the player who typically trains in Kudus. Beyond interacting with peers from across Indonesia, she also gained the opportunity to participate in an overseas training program.
“I felt surprised and proud. I never expected to get this opportunity,” she said.
For Syifa, the call-up served as a gateway to a broader football environment than the one she has previously known.
The most memorable experience of Syifa’s football journey occurred while participating in a program with the Indonesia Women’s U-17 National Team in Clairefontaine, France.
Syifa and Della, her teammate at Spegaku Balistha, were selected for the training program in France, organized through a partnership between the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) and PSSI. The initiative included players from the Indonesia Women’s U-17 National Team, as well as athletes from the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and HYDROPLUS Soccer League. While in France, participants underwent various training sessions and skill-development drills overseen by Indonesia Women’s U-17 National Team coach, Timo Scheunemann.
Over the course of about a week, she engaged in various training activities and internal scrimmages with her teammates. While friendly matches were initially planned, those were ultimately canceled, leading to a program focused primarily on internal gameplay.
Though brief, the time spent in a country with deep football traditions offered her many new insights.
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 play soccer on a different continent,” she said.
In France, she also had the chance to train alongside more senior players in the national team environment—a highlight of her experience during the training program.
Initially, she felt awkward being surrounded by older players. However, the team's inclusive atmosphere made the transition easier.
She soon forged friendships with players from various regions. The experience of meeting new people became one of her most cherished memories, alongside the training sessions on the pitch.
One of the most valuable lessons Syifa gained in France involved training methodology.
She noted a clear difference in training emphasis between Indonesia and France. While sessions in Indonesia tend to be more varied, the French program places a heavy focus on the nuances of fundamental techniques.
Precise passing, ball speed, and overall passing quality were key areas that received special attention.
This technical focus provided a fresh perspective that she has since sought to implement upon returning to Indonesia.
Beyond technical aspects, she emphasized the importance of discipline in an athlete's life. Proper rest schedules, nutrition, and daily habits are essential components of player development.
She has since shared these insights with her club teammates following her return to Kudus.
“I learned many new things there, including technical basics, discipline, and nutrition,” she said.
Living in a foreign country presented its own set of challenges, most notably the climate.
Accustomed to the tropical temperatures of Indonesia, she had to adjust to significantly colder conditions in France, where temperatures dropped to around six degrees Celsius.
Although initially taken aback, she successfully adapted to the environment.
Language barriers were not a major obstacle, as translators were provided throughout the program to facilitate communication.
Beyond the rigorous training, she recalls lighter moments, such as accidentally locking her hotel room key inside and needing assistance to access her room with a spare card.
She also enjoyed exploring French cuisine, frequently eating chicken, yogurt, fruit, and eggs.
However, croissants were not quite to her taste, as she found their texture to be different from what she is used to in Indonesia.
Despite her international experiences, Syifa maintains that Kudus remains 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 support from her family, coaches, school, and the football community in Kudus serves as the foundation for her achievements thus far.
She expressed pride in representing her region on various occasions, including her participation in a program with the national team.
That experience further strengthened her resolve to continue honing her football skills in the future.
Despite having trained in Europe, Syifa views the experience as just one step in a much longer journey.
She remains determined to return to Europe in the future. Her interest in European football is heavily influenced by her favorite player, Federico Valverde, whose powerful shooting ability she deeply admires.
For Syifa, her time in France was not an endpoint, but rather part of a continuous learning process.
She hopes to continue developing as a player and contribute positively to the teams she represents.
To other children chasing similar dreams, Syifa advises them not to be easily discouraged when facing adversity.
“Stay motivated and never give up until you reach your goal. Paris was one step, but there are still bigger dreams to achieve for Indonesia,” she said.
The journey of Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi illustrates how proper coaching, a supportive environment, and consistent training can create opportunities for young athletes to gain experience on a global stage. From the training grounds in Kudus to the football training centers in France, Syifa continues her path as a dedicated young player, constantly learning and pursuing her future aspirations. (sns/mkk)
