People of the Union puts the spotlight on individuals across FIFPRO’s member associations who are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of professional footballers in their country.
Gotcha Michel talks about her work with Indonesian player association APPI and what she finds most fulfilling in her role.
FIFPRO: Tell us about yourself: what is your current role and what is your background?
Gotcha Michel: My name’s Gotcha Michel and I’m currently working at APPI as Deputy Chief Executive. My academic background is in legal and corporate communications; I obtained a master's degree in 2012 and a master's in business law in 2018. I started working at APPI in 2011. This era was more or less the revival of APPI after struggling for a couple of years.
What do you most enjoy about the work you do at the union?
Football has always been my passion and, to work in the field that one is passionate about, is a dream. I am grateful that APPI still has the same courage and spirit when it comes to educating and fighting for the rights of footballers in Indonesia since I started here in 2011. I share that same spirit. I adore football and fighting for the interests of football’s main component – the players – is an important matter, especially in Indonesia. I’ve experienced many ups and downs in Indonesian football and have negotiated with many parties. These experiences have been beneficial for me in understanding the problems and intricacies in the world of football.
What is something exciting you are working on at the moment?
14 years ago, our main focus was dealing with non-payment cases faced by players. APPI has since developed further and while we still deal with overdue payables, we also offer educational services for players. We not only educate players on reading and understanding their professional contracts, but we also create opportunities for them to prepare for life after football. We adopted FIFPRO's Mind The Gap program and I am currently coordinating with the players who are continuing education at university level. Many players are also taking on courses which are expected to increase their knowledge, skills, and understanding outside of football.
What issue affecting player welfare are you most passionate about?
Players are the most important asset in football. While they have a great opportunity to be financially successful, they also have a relatively short career and can be at risk of health problems – from injuries to mental health. For me, it’s crucial professional footballers receive the necessary provisions to protect their health.
Is there anyone in the union world or in sports in general who inspires you?
One of the people in the union world that inspires me is Frederique Winia, the former Director of Member Services of FIFPRO. She has more than two decades of experience fighting for the rights of players worldwide. Frederique would always stand behind the players no matter how hard and impossible the situation was. I first met her in 2012 and it was one of my first interactions at FIFPRO. Her knowledge, dedication, support, and empathy for footballers really set a high bar for everyone, including me.
What is your favourite football memory to date?
Seeing the World Cup in South Korea in 2002 is one of my favourite football memories. At that time I was only a 13-year-old junior high school student and I was in Korea for the Folk Art Festival, representing Indonesia through my traditional dance class. I realised there that football is different from other sports after directly witnessing the heartfelt support and sacrifice offered by millions of people worldwide for this tournament. Beyond national boundaries, linguistic barriers, and cultural differences, indeed it is a worldwide phenomenon.
Who is your favourite football player ever and why?
Diego Maradona. Maradona strikes the ideal blend between complexity and charisma, in my opinion. A football player who can create unique pieces in a highly competitive setting. Someone who was born into poverty but able to use his extraordinary talent to make a fortune. He lived a lavish lifestyle and was friends with many powerful and well-known people, but he also maintained a sense of compassion for the underprivileged. Another important thing to me is that he bravely showed courage in standing with the oppressed and supporting their fights.
