FIFA Praises Indonesia As Host Of The 2023 U-17 World Cup

SOLO - FIFA praised Indonesia's performance as the organizer of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. However, FIFA provided several evaluations, especially related to planning.

Appreciation from FIFA based on the results of the participant teams' reports. The participating teams, according to the Deputy Chair of the 2023 U-17 World Cup Implementation Committee (LOC) who is also the Deputy Chairperson of PSSI, Ratu Thasha Destria, praised the quality of the field, both the matches and training provided by Indonesia, including the services and hospitality provided.

"For us (LOC), the highest praise actually came from the participating teams. They were satisfied with the services provided, starting from the provision of field facilities, services, and hospitality," said Ratu Tisha at a press conference at the 2023 U-17 World Cup Information Center in Solo, Friday, December 1, 2023.

"Given that world-class teams must have riders (special request lists) there must be a lot and that can all be fulfilled," he further said.

However, from the various praises given, LOC did not escape the evaluation given by the world football federation. There are three evaluations, according to Thasha given by FIFA.

"First, it is a matter of planning. There is only time between planning and implementation that is very tight. For FIFA, the receipt must be appropriate. For example, if the planning is 70 percent, then the implementation must also be 70 percent. Then, if the plan is A, the implementation must also be A," he said.

In addition, the difference in management systems in FIFA and in Indonesia, especially in several ministries or institutions that are not the same, is in the spotlight. This makes monitoring considered a little difficult for FIFA.

"So we need a more measurable system, which can align with the FIFA system. Because the system in Indonesia, not only in PSSI, but also in ministries or institutions, also has various systems," he said.

"The third evaluation is that there must be progress. How from the 50 matches that have been running progress. It's not a matter of winning, but how do we have changes in various aspects of implementation. For example, because this is a competition, the main thing is the side of football, where in every match the quality is always getting better," he added.

According to him, many of FIFA can be improved but these changes cannot be done radically.

There are several sectors that are considered to be improved, such as in the fan services area, security, match operation, as well as how to separate match operations from others.

"Exraordinary during the implementation does not exist. We do not discuss the JIS issue because it is an extraordinary case. With tight time, we can fulfill the need for grass for fields that can hold many matches held there," said Ratu Tisha.

"There are a total of 16 matches in 15 days of implementation. This is extra, because usually 16 games are carried out in four months to maintain the quality of the grass. For this case, we get experts not only from FIFA but from other countries, such as Australia. Especially for how to handle JIS for the management pitch, I give a thumbs up," he said.