Finalize Preparations For Hosts Of The U-17 World Cup, Menpora: PSSI Asks FIFA To Visit Indonesia Immediately

JAKARTA - Indonesia continues to prepare to give its best performance after being officially appointed to host the U-17 World Cup. In ongoing preparations, Menpora Dito Ariotedjo said PSSI asked FIFA to immediately visit Indonesia.

Dito said the request was conveyed by the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir so that FIFA could review and then determine the stadium used as the U-17 World Cup venue. The reason is that until Tuesday, July 18, there is no definite information on when FIFA will arrive, therefore PSSI has written so that the International Football Federation can immediately visit the country.

"Well, we (the government and PSSI) are waiting for a feed back from FIFA. But PSSI, Mr. Erick Thohir has written a request for FIFA as soon as possible (to Indonesia) so that preparations (U-17 World Cup) are complete," said Dito Ariotedjo when asked about the preparation for the U-17 World Cup.

Regarding the preparations for the stadium which will be used as the upcoming U-17 World Cup venue, PSSI has prepared eight locations. This was done after FIFA officially appointed Indonesia to host last June to replace the used Peru.

However, one month after the decisions and preparations that Indonesia continues to make, FIFA has not yet visited the country. Even though the certainty of determining the venue is important for Indonesia, considering that the agenda will take place from November 10 to December 2 which is getting closer.

Meanwhile, the government and PSSI have also discussed in a limited meeting (ratas) on preparations for the 2023 U-17 World Cup. One important thing discussed in the meeting was the budget issue.

PSSI proposed funds for the 2023 U-17 World Cup of around Rp400 billion, but with the remaining U-20 World Cup budget of Rp250 billion, the funds submitted to the government were not too large.

Actually, there are not many additional PSSI. For this budget, it is not far from the U-20 World Cup. It's just that from the U-20 yesterday it was used, so the addition is around Rp. 100 to Rp. 150 billion," said Dito explaining.

Untuk squad timnas U-17 yang akan tampil di Piala Dunia U-17 2023 bakal ditangani oleh Bima Sakti. Sejaujh ini perkembangannya sudah sampai pada agenda pemusatan latihan di Jakarta. Pada saat bersamaan PSSI juga terus melakukan seleksi nasional di 12 provinsi untuk mencari talent pemain.