Indonesia Arena Without Cela

Indonesia Arena, FIBA World Cup 2023 venue. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - Tanjungan was given by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to the Indonesia Arena or the Indoor Multifunction Stadium (IMS) Gelora Bung Karno Jakarta which became the venue for the FIBA World Cup 2023.

FIBA World Cup 2023 Executive Director David Crocker said he had found no flaws in the newly built stadium.

"Although I'm trying to find it, I don't think I will find any flaws here. This is a completely new stadium, world-class standard," said David Crocker after visiting the Indonesia Arena.

David Crocker then praised the Indonesian government's commitment to helping organize the 2023 FIBA World Cup by building the Indonesia Arena in a very fast period of time.

PP Perbasi Chairman Danny Kosasih said that the previous International Basketball Federation (FIBA) did not have the confidence that the 2023 FIBA World Cup could be held in Indonesia while visiting to monitor the development of the Indonesia Arena in 2022.

In fact, Danny Kosasih said that the FIBA had asked other basketball arenas to be able to organize the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"When a year ago I came the land was still dredged up. FIBA didn't believe it, asked him to look at other buildings. I told you, when the Indonesian people wanted to, they could," Danny said, as quoted by Antara.

However, when David Crocker returned today, the Indonesia Arena was already in a form that was ready to hold a world-class tournament.

"Seeing this new arena I smile because this is amazing. Thank you to the Indonesian government for providing this extraordinary facility that will make Indonesians proud," said Crocker.

He said that the Indonesian government always consulted with FIBA in the stadium construction process in order to meet the requirements and qualifications of international standard basketball arenas.

According to Crocker, the 16,500-seater indoor stadium is only left to be tested for international matches before they are actually used for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Perbasi Chairman Danny Kosasih stated that his party had sent several invitations to state basketball teams in Southeast Asia to compete at the Indonesia Arena for the need for implementation trials.

The 2023 FIBA World Cup will be held in three Asian countries, namely the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. The basketball World Cup match will be held at the scheduled Indonesia Arena from August 25 to September 3, 2023.