PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir Hopes Si Jalak Harupat Stadium Won't Be Crossed Out By FIFA Ahead Of The 2023 U-20 World Cup

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir wants the improvement of the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium to be handled seriously so as not to be dropped by FIFA ahead of the U-20 World Cup.

This was revealed by Erick Thohir during a visit to Si Jalak Harupat, which is one of the venues for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

Erick Thohir checks the readiness of the stadium and he believes that if they cooperate with each other, the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium will not be crossed out by FIFA in the list of 2023 U-20 World Cup stadiums.

"This is the second stadium we saw today. Earlier we went to South Sumatra to see Jakabaring, together with the Minister of Youth and Sports and Mrs. as Deputy Pak Basuki (Director of Strategic Infrastructure of the Directorate General of Human Settlements of the Ministry of PUPR, Essy Asiah). We are here because we care about wanting to make sure there are companions and there are things that we don't want, we can fix it as early as possible," said Erick Thohir in his statement, Sunday, March 12.

Erick Thohir, who also serves as Minister of SOEs, wants Si Jalak Harupat to finish cleaning up when FIFA conducts direct monitoring on March 21-27, 2023.

"So we are serious here to support the local government. And of course what the central government has done, to ensure the six stadiums, one of which is our pride, Si Jalak Harupat, who is the pride of the people of West Java, should not be a stadium that FIFA has crossed out," he said.

"U-20's championship was the last event to come in Southeast Asia 23 years ago. And it doesn't necessarily come back to Indonesia. So this needs seriousness," added Erick Thohir.

On the same occasion, the Chairperson of INAFOC as well as the Deputy Chairperson of PSSI Zainudin Amali confirmed his presence to see the commitment of the Regional Government which has been signed through the host city agreement.

"The central government also has a part of it, so that according to what is expected by FiFA, the stadium that will be used by U-20 is in accordance with the schedule," said Zainudin Amali.