Speaking Of Indonesia's Bidding Opportunities For Hosts World Cup, Erick Thohir: As Long As There Is No Corruption

SOE Minister Erick Thohir and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Minister of SOEs, who is also a national sports figure Erick Thohir, spoke about Indonesia's opportunity to participate in the World Cup host bidding, following in the footsteps of Asian countries that had hosted previous editions.

According to Erick in Jakarta, Saturday, if Indonesia wants to participate in the bidding for the host of the World Cup, everything must be prepared immediately, especially the development of the national team.

Meanwhile, in terms of budget, the man who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said there was no need to worry because the funds would definitely be available, especially since Indonesia is projected to become the fourth-largest economy country in 2045.

After Qatar 2022, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in three countries, namely Canada, Mexico, United States. Meanwhile, the new 2030 edition of the host will be announced in 2024.

"Readiness exists. Funds are also there. Not a waste, but there are funds...Yesterday Mr. Jokowi proposed the State Capital (IKN) bid to host the 2036 Olympics. We will have a new capital city, better facilities. Our economy is in the fourth largest in 2045. So the money is actually as long as it is not corrupted. So if 2040 Indonesia participates in the World Cup bidding, it is not impossible," Erick quoted ANtara as saying.

However, Erick emphasized that although infrastructure and funds are ready, if the national team's achievements are still far away, it will be very difficult for Indonesia to advance and win the host bid.

"But now the most crucial is the national team. We also don't want to be the hosts but lose up to 0-7 in the first match," said the former Inter Milan president.

He alluded to the achievements of Japan and South Korea, which are now two Asian football teams that can penetrate the dominance of Europe and South America. Japan and South Korea have hosted the 2002 World Cup and are currently able to penetrate the last 16 of Qatar's 2022 World Cup.

The result, said Erick, was obtained because the continuous coaching took 20-30 years.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, continued Erick, young players are not given the opportunity to compete at the club because they lose competitiveness with naturalized players.

The preparation for the national team is 20-30 years. This means that they have to find the best players and then be given the opportunity to play at the club or all, like in basketball, make the national team play in the league but are filled with young players because they must be given a competition

With hundreds of football players then playing in competitions, training after competition, given the opportunity to play at the club. This is what we have to do. How can we have a good national team, training field facilities have not been maximized. Competition for young players is not optimal and most naturalized players,

"I don't like naturalization. But if there is a lot of naturalization clubs... we have to take care of each other, we have to sit with the club on how to implement strategies to place young players, foreign players, and naturalize," he concluded.