JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo admitted that he was dizzy thinking about the polemic of the rejection of the Israeli national team which led to the failure of Indonesia to host the U-20 World Cup.
This was conveyed by Jokowi in his remarks while attending a Ramadan gathering at the PAN DPP Office, South Jakarta.
"It's been a ball business, I've been dizzy for two weeks because of the ball. It's really dizzy," said Jokowi while shaking his head, Sunday, April 2.
Jokowi said that Indonesia's efforts to win the host position were not as easy as imagined. Of the dozens of countries that included themselves through the selection process, Indonesia is included in the top three candidates to host the World Cup with Brazil and Peru.
Indonesia, said Jokowi, continued to launch lobbying and increase the readiness of match infrastructure, until FIFA officially appointed the country to host in October 2019.
"Because, whatever it is, it is very difficult to be the host. We have prepared three years. The field is checked, repaired, checked again, repaired, checked again. It's not that easy," said Jokowi.
In addition, a number of provinces have also expressed their readiness as match venues and signed the commitment. However, the rejection of the Israeli national team from a number of regional heads and political parties resulted in FIFA canceling Indonesia from hosting the U-20 World Cup.
"But, yes, it has become God's will, we accept it as a lesson in the future so that it doesn't happen again. That's all we can take lessons from football matters. But, oh, dizziness, really dizzy with the ball," he said.
In his official statement, Thursday, March 30, Jokowi expressed his disappointment after FIFA dropped Indonesia to host the U-2023 World Cup. He admitted that he received news on Wednesday, March 29, evening.
FIFA crossed out Indonesia as the host after first canceling the group stage draw which was supposed to take place on March 31 in Bali.
"Of course we have to respect the decision. I know this decision makes many people disappointed. I also feel that way, disappointed and sad," said Jokowi.
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Jokowi hopes that people should not blame each other for the reasons for the FIFA behind the deletion. He said Indonesia could take important lessons from here.
"Don't waste energy blaming each other," said Jokowi.
"As a great nation, we must look forward. Don't look back. Make this a valuable lesson for all of us for Indonesian football," he added.
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