Jokowi Inaugurates IMS GBK Worth IDR 640 Billion, Can Accommodate 16,000 Spectators

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Indonesia Arena or the Indoor Multifunction Stadium (IMS) in the Gelora Bung Karno area, Jakarta, today.

During the inauguration, President Jokowi was accompanied by a number of ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, such as PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, SOE Minister Erick Thohir, and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Sandiaga Uno.

Then, there is the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Arietdjo, Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian, and Head of BKPM/Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, as well as other officials.

"Today we already have a name Indonesia Arena, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 16,000 spectators," said Jokowi in Jakarta, on Monday, August 7.

"By saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I inaugurate Indonesia's arena at GBK Jakarta," he added.

Jokowi said that the construction of the IMS itself had been built with a budget of Rp. 640 billion and could later be used for basketball, badminton, volleyball, and so on.

"(IMS) is mainly used for basketball tournaments, but it can also be used for badminton, volleyball balls, futsal and of course for concerts," he said.

Furthermore, Jokowi said, IMS can not only be used for sports matches, but can also be used for concert activities.

"So, now if you want a concert, please register, because I'm sure this will be used more for concerts," he said.

For your information, the Indonesia Arena was built to support the implementation of the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup, which will be held on August 25, September-10, 2023.

Indonesia was chosen as the host along with Japan and the Philippines.