How Benny Soetrisno Keeps the Rhythm of Life on the Green Field

That afternoon was not too dark yet, the sun was still preparing to move on the western horizon when the SUAR Team met one of the veteran entrepreneurs in the South Jakarta area.

At that time, the entrepreneur who served as the Chairman of the Indonesian Importers Exporters Association, Benny Soetrisno, had just finished his activities as a guest in a discussion on the theme of "Strengthening Indonesian Migrant Workers" which was carried out by SUAR media.

In the midst of his busy life maintaining export value remains a surplus, no one would have thought that the white-haired man had his own way of maintaining the balance of his life between work and mental health.

He prefers to chase the ball with his colleagues on the green field. He feels many benefits when playing soccer, not only benefits for physical health but also benefits for mental health.

"Playing soccer is like therapy for me. It can improve heart health," Benny told SUAR in Jakarta, Thursday (18/09/2025).

Benny Soetrisno (Photo: Personal Documentation)

In addition to being beneficial in training heart health, he said, activities in playing soccer are also beneficial for lung health. Inside there are activities of running, walking, and sprinting.

"Playing soccer is complete, there's running, sprinting, stopping and then running again, the muscles work, the fat burns without us realizing it," he said.

But the biggest benefit of playing soccer is in mental health. In the midst of work pressure that drains emotions, being on the field with friends actually releases fatigue. "We can laugh together, and finally the anxiety disappears, and the mood also improves," he said.

Character building

According to him, as a team sport, soccer teaches the importance of cooperation, communication, and achieving goals and of course building character.

Football is also the best teacher in forging mentality, communicating and managing tension and disappointment.

"Players learn about discipline, resilience in the face of defeat, and responsibility," he said.

Therefore, he said, playing soccer can maintain mental health and allow him to make better business decisions.

"Because I often play soccer, my mental health is maintained and carried over into the work environment, so I am not afraid to face challenges, especially for exports," he said.

He admitted that even though he doesn't play as often as he did when he was young, he is still active in his favorite sport. "I've been playing since I was young, and even though I'm not as active as I used to be, I still try to play. It feels different if I don't touch the green field for a week," he said.

Benny Soetrisno at a soccer event in Jakarta (Photo: Personal Documentation)

It would be strange if Benny didn't have a favorite soccer player. When asked about his idol in the world of soccer, Benny didn't hesitate to mention Lionel Messi.

"He is a complete figure because his playing strategy is unique and interesting. According to him, Lionel Messi is one of the authoritative soccer players of today," he said.

Lionel Messi's main strength lies in the extraordinary combination of dribbling ability, playing vision, intelligence, technique, and deadly finishing.

He is skilled at controlling the ball, reading the game to create opportunities, and has high accuracy in his shots and passes, making him a complete and unstoppable player.

Building a dream

Benny's love for soccer doesn't stop there. He wants Indonesian children to have the space and access to grow through soccer.

That is what prompted him to establish the Intinusa Olah Prima Football Academy (ASIOP) in 1997.

At that time, ASIOP became the first soccer academy in Indonesia. Its goal, he said, is to produce young soccer talents to compete at the professional and national team levels.

"Talented young people can perform in international matches or even defend the Indonesian national team," he said.

Not just a small academy, ASIOP has now developed into a professional soccer club with adequate facilities. In January 2025, ASIOP even inaugurated its own stadium called ASTA Stadium.

The various programs include developing young soccer talent through comprehensive training programs, including regular programs for achievement and hobby programs.