U-17 World Cup Supporting Facilities At GBT Stadium Ready To Use

Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) (ANTARA)

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi stated that infrastructure and infrastructure facilities at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) are ready to be used for the U-17 World Cup in November 2023.

"If GBT is ready, FIFA has seen it. There is no improvement. What is certain is related to roads, access, parks around GBT that we will do. But if it is inside (the stadium), thank God it is done," said Eri Cahyadi, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, August 13.

Even earlier, on Monday, July 31, 2023, a team from FIFA had directly visited Arek Suroboyo's proud stadium.

"If there is no problem with the road. So it's just a test, check, until the road is comfortable to use," he said.

Meanwhile, in terms of transportation, Mayor Eri revealed that the toll road access directly to the GBT Stadium is also ready to be used. Even in the previous match of the Indonesian national team, this toll road access had been used.

"We open all toll roads. If all those riding motorbikes go down, but don't ride cars anymore via the Romokalisari toll road, but the outgoing toll roads are directly connected to the GBT. There are also copies from Pelindo, there are two routes, we open all of them," said Cak Eri, his nickname.

However, Cak Eri also hopes that the U-17 World Cup will not have an impact on the implementation of the Indonesian League 1. Because previously, there was information regarding the plan for League 1 to be temporarily closed when the world cup event took place.

"Hopefully this will continue, so that Persebaya can play and the World Cup can also play. After all, Persebaya is Suroboyo's team, so that the match if possible (home base) remains in Surabaya," he said.

Not only that, to enliven the U-17 World Cup, Cak Eri also plans to move sports tourism starting at the village level starting by holding various competitions to search for superior seeds in the field of soccer.

"So we will start starting later in August welcoming the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, it will also be a talent search for football talents," he said.