The Outer Java League 2 Competition Is Allowed To Be Held, But There Are Conditions

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto who is also the Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) said the government gave permission for the League 2 competition outside Java to be held again with a number of conditions.

"We appreciate (the proposal of the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) and Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and invite it to be held (League 2)," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga in a press conference on the results of the meeting of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Menpora with PSSI online, Tuesday, as reported by Antara.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga said that Liga 2 would be held in a number of provinces outside Java, namely Pekanbaru, Palembang, Balikpapan, and Palangkaraya. The competition will be held without spectators with the implementation of strict health protocols, in accordance with the implementation of Liga 1 which has already started.

Meanwhile, the League 2 competition on the island of Java has been running since Sunday, September 26 with the opening match between Persis Solo vs PSG Pati at the Manahan Stadium Solo, which Persis Solo won with a score of 2-0.

"Looking at the experience of Liga 1 organizers, where the organizers carry out tight security procedures, both PCR and antigen tests are carried out not only every day but every time they enter the venue," said Airlangga.

Airlangga also said that Liga 2 organizers also guaranteed that the entry and exit points of the stadium would be controlled and the stadium would only be filled with less than 300 people consisting of players, officials, referees, and committees.

He said that sports competitions are important to be held as a means to hone the achievements of the players, especially since Indonesia will host the U-20 World Cup in 2023.

“We have to start and thank God PSSI has started and this sport is also an achievement event. Then also (the application of) the health program can be an example in other sports activities," said Airlangga,

In addition, he continued, through the Liga 2 live streaming service, it will be entertainment for the community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic situation which limits people's mobility.

The press conference was also attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia Zainudin Amali, Chairman of PSSI Mochamad Iriawan, and President Director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru Akhmad Hadian Lukita.