Anies: IYC Postponed Until COVID-19 Cases Slope In Indonesia-Spain

Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Saturday (11/12/2021)/ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Adimaja

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that the International Youth Championship (IYC) soccer tournament at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) was postponed until the COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and Spain eased.

"Now the safety of citizens is number one, therefore this event awaits the improvement of COVID-19 in Spain and Jakarta," Anies said at the Jakarta City Hall, quoted by Antara, Monday, February 7.

This postponement policy, said Anies, did not only occur in Indonesia or Jakarta but also in Spain, so that the invited football clubs, namely Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, failed to attend Jakarta.

Anies admitted that he had not discussed the latest schedule for the IYC tournament as well as the inauguration of the JIS soccer field, which was claimed to have modern technology.

"Because the problem is not only here, but there (Spain) is also at a high level," he said.

Previously, the International Youth Championship (IYC) tournament which was planned to be held at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) had to be postponed again due to the impact of the spike in Omicron cases in Spain.

"We say to the chairman of BNPB who gave support and encouragement, then the minister of Marinvest, Menpora, PSSI, and the National Police Chief, we really feel supported just because Corona Omicron this charity event has been postponed twice," said Chairman of Pancoran Soccer Field, I Gede Widiade, always promoting three clubs. foreigners who will attend Jakarta to reporters, Wednesday, February 2.

Gede said the situation for the postponement of IYC 2021 this time was different from the previous postponement in December. He said that this time, a number of parties in Indonesia were ready to hold it, but in Spain the cases of COVID-19 were increasing.

"Because we've been there twice, in December 2021 they were ready in Indonesia, Omicron just entered. Then now it's approved, everyone has agreed, the Coordinating Minister for Marvest has agreed, Menpora, Menkes, PSSI have agreed, the Omicron is crazy there (Spain), in Indonesia also started," said Gede.

For information, based on statistical data reported by Google, COVID-19 in Spain experienced a significant increase as of January 31, 2022, there were 182,123 new cases added with a death rate of 259 cases.