Formed approximately 25 years ago, to promote friendship through football, the league began with a small number of clubs which generally consisted of teams from the same nation. Amongst the successful clubs of the early era were German Plus, Knudde (Holland), The Vikings (Denmark), and India Medan.
Since gaining the name JIFL, the league has grown from strength to strength, with the majority of teams discarding their "Nation State" status and the league transforming into a smorgasbord of nationalities. Included here is the most successful team this decade, The Wanderers, who after humble beginnings have dominated the League and Cup tournament. Other famous teams are FC D's Place (became FC One Tree last season 2008-2009 and will be De Hooi Nomads this current season), FC Bugils, Do It Satu Lagi, JIS (Jakarta International School)... Teams like BuGils or De Hooi or DoIt Satu Lagi are sponsored by bars downtown in Jakarta.