Surabaya Welcomes The U-17 World Cup With Trophy Experience

JAKARTA - The community packed the Jalan Tunjungan area, Surabaya City, Sunday to witness the "Trophy Experience" ahead of the start of the U-17 World Cup event in Indonesia, from November 10 to December 2, 2023.

The Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, in his remarks, invited the entire community to support the struggle of the U-17 Indonesian National Team in the world football tournament at the young age level.

"I invite Indonesians, East Java, and Surabaya to support the national team, show the tuah of the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) for the national team," said Eri, quoted by Antara.

The agenda opened at 06.43 WIB and was marked by a giant ball spinning from the north side of Jalan Tunjungan to the south side.

The giant ball crossing was accompanied by a group of flag-raising and band drums from the Surabaya Shipship Polytechnic (Poltekpel).

After the first group passed by, a group of children appeared who used traditional games, such as eggrang and bakiak.

They used various attributes depicting the U-17 World Cup event, from hats decorated with the flags of participating countries to group-written boards at the tournament.

There is also a group of Chemical guide teams involved, lion dances, rollerblading communities, traditional music, and reog dancers.

The old bicycle community from the Old Cycling Community (Kosti) of Surabaya City was also involved in celebrating the event, some of them were black community clothes and some were wearing seorjan clothes.

Each bicycle is also equipped with a red and white flag attached to a bamboo stick.

One of the bicycles belonging to Kosti members is also equipped with loudspeakers that play various contemporary music.

The accompaniment of "Thropy Experience" participants moved from Jalan Tunjungan to the end point at the Youth Hall on Jalan Governor Suryo. The community has been crowding the area since 05.49 WIB.

When the procession arrived, a number of high-ranking Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) officials, the central government, and local regional officials were present on the agenda, such as the Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo, PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir, Ratu Thasha Destria Deputy Chair, and East Java PSSI Asprov Chair Ahmad Riyadh.

Then, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, Surabaya Regional Secretary Ikhsan, and the Head of the Surabaya Culture, Youth and Sports and Tourism Office (Disbudporapar), Wiwiek Widayati, local DPRD member Khusnul Khotimah and Budi Leksono.

The group was greeted by the mascot of the Indonesian U-17 World Cup, Badak Cula Cahaya (Bacuya).

At around 07.38 WIB, a group of "Trophy Experience" processions arrived at the Youth Hall, Surabaya, which has been crowded with people.

Based on information, after attending the "Trophy Experience", PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir and his entourage headed to Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium for a review.