Coordinating Minister AHY: Stadium Renovation In East Java To Meet FIFA Standards

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono while trying to take spectator seats in the disability sector at Gelora Delta Sidoarjo, Monday (13/1/2025). (ANTARA/Fahmi Alfian)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stated that the renovation of a number of stadiums and sports facilities, especially in East Java, aims to improve eligibility standards according to FIFA regulations.

"Apart from Sidoarjo, several other stadiums in East Java are in the renovation stage according to FIFA standards," said Coordinating Minister AHY in Sidoarjo as reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 13.

Coordinating Minister AHY explained that the revitalization of a number of stadiums in East Java in accordance with FIFA standards, apart from Sidoarjo, was also carried out at Gelora Joko Samudro Gresik, Surajaya Lamongan Stadium, Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan Pamekasan and Kanjuruhan Stadium Malang.

AHY assessed that the entire related stadium revitalization process had been carried out properly, especially in order to improve post-incident security and comfort at the Malang Kanjuruhan Stadium some time ago.

During his visit to the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium, Coordinating Minister AHY appreciated the improvement in the quality of the stadium which was the pride of the Sidoarjo community.

He stated that currently all audience seats have been changed to single-seater benches that can accommodate more than 19 thousand spectators in each match.

Not only that, AHY also explained that there is a special sector that is able to accommodate audiences with disabilities properly.

According to him, currently the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium is also improving a good security and evacuation system through the many accesses in and out of existing stadiums.

The evacuation process for all spectators present in full capacity only takes three minutes, until the area inside the stadium is sterile.

In addition, for drainage, the Coordinating Minister stated that the stadium management had conducted trials some time ago when it rained heavily.

In the trial, the stadium, which currently has FIFA standards, has succeeded in flowing rainwater through good drainage, so that there are no significant puddles that can interfere with the course of the match.

"Everything has been revitalized properly from drainage to audience evacuation, everything is in accordance with international standards," said AHY.

In the near future, Coordinating Minister AHY stated that Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium will also host mini-inter-state tournaments. The mini tournament is also expected to be a training ground for the U-20 national team.

In a mini tournament that starts on January 24, the U-20 national team will face teams from India, Jordan, and Syria.

"This will be a benchmark to assess how the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium is facing an international tournament atmosphere," said Coordinating Minister AHY.