UMS Graduate Helps Lead U-17 National Team on Road to 2026 World Cup

Two alumni from the Physiotherapy Program of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIK) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) have made a proud achievement on the international stage, having been appointed as official Sport Physiotherapists for Indonesia’s U-17 National Football Team.

The alumni in question are Enggar Puridyasmoro, S.Ftr., a graduate of UMS’ vocational Physiotherapy program in 2016 and bachelor’s in 2020, and Wildan, S.Fis, S.Ftr., a 2014 graduate. They play a vital role in maintaining the fitness and injury recovery of Indonesia’s young football players throughout international tournaments.

“The role of a physiotherapist isn’t limited to treating injuries, but also in maintaining peak performance throughout the tournament. We’re proud to be part of this historic moment,” said Enggar in a post-match interview on Thursday (8/4/2025).

Wildan (right) and Enggar (left) alongside players from Indonesia’s U-17 National Team. 

Their roles proved crucial when Indonesia’s U-17 National Team successfully secured a ticket to the 2026 U-17 World Cup to be held in Qatar. The ticket was clinched after a convincing 4-1 victory over Yemen in the deciding match.

This achievement is not only a historic moment for Indonesian football but also a source of pride for the national physiotherapy field, especially for the academic community at UMS.

The involvement of Enggar and Wildan demonstrates that graduates of both vocational and undergraduate physiotherapy education can make real contributions to the world of sports, on both national and global levels.

The Physiotherapy Program at UMS remains committed to producing competent graduates who are job-ready and internationally competitive. The achievements of these two alumni serve as an inspiration for current students and aspiring young physiotherapists across Indonesia.

Writer: Yusuf Ismail

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid