Wants To Make JIS Kandang The National Team, Erick Thohir: Persija No Need To Worry

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir met with Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung at DKI City Hall. (Diah-VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir admitted that his party was eyeing the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) as the home of the Indonesian National Team (Timnas).

However, Erick asked Persija Jakarta and The Jakmania football clubs not to worry about potential clashes in Persija and the national team's schedule at JIS.

This was revealed by Erick after meeting the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.

"There is no need (to worry), because if you say the home is the National Team, yes throughout Indonesia. Like now, the U-17 (Timnas) plays in North Sumatra. That's part of how we activate that this national team belongs to all of us. So, including if later facilities at JIS we can play for several national team championships or matches," said Erick, Thursday, August 14.

Erick revealed the reason PSSI wanted to make JIS one of the venues that are routinely used for national team matches.

Currently, PSSI is intensifying the development of the national team from various team categories. Thus, Timss needs many sports facilities to be used.

"This is what we can take advantage of later whether the senior matches, U-20, U-17, we can use the facilities owned by the DKI Regional Government, one of which is JIS," said the Minister of SOEs.

Moreover, Erick ensured that there would be no schedule clashes in the FIFA and League calendars. "For the FIFA calendar, which next year in March will not interfere with the League schedule, because if the FIFA Matchday is (held), the League will stop," he added.

According to Erick's statement, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung asked residents not to worry about Persija's schedule being disrupted by the Indonesian national team.

"Jakmania or Persija don't worry that the time used for Persija to host will be disrupted, because the League and what is PSSI's schedule are very different things," said Pramono.

On the one hand, Pramono revealed that the DKI Provincial Government is perfecting infrastructure around the JIS area to facilitate access for visitors to the international standard stadium.

Among them are the addition of transportation modes that cross JIS, as well as the construction of a connecting bridge between Ancol and JIS to facilitate access to visitors to private vehicle parking locations.

In addition, Pramono also ordered PT Jakarta Propertindo as the manager to be more alert to prepare JIS grass to be ready to be used again as a football match after becoming a concert venue.

"I have asked the President Director of Jakpro to learn from countries that only need five days, such as those in Singapore. As soon as the concert, (therumput) was rolled up, then after that it was returned again. Indeed, the tools to roll up need to cost and for that I am sure we can definitely do that," he said.