Wayan Koster Not Disappointed Bali Not Chosen To Be The Venue Of The U17 World Cup

Bali Governor Wayan Koster was interviewed about the U17 World Cup in Denpasar, Wednesday (9/8/2023). ANTARA/Ni Putu Putri Mulintari

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster admitted that he was not disappointed that the Island of the Gods was not chosen to be the venue for the U17 World Cup international football match.

"No, there is no disappointment and no need to be disappointed. It's okay to choose chosen gratefully," he said while watching the 2023 International Youth Championship in Denpasar as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 9.

Koster said he did not know the reason why Bali was not one of the locations for the event, even though Bali had previously been appointed as the location for the U20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, based on the decision of the U17 World Cup FIFA which will be held from November 10 to December 2, it will be held at the Jakarta International Stadium (Jakarta), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Manahan Stadium (Solo), and Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya).

"The infrastructure is sufficient, it is prepared for the U20 championship to meet the actual requirements," said Koster.

According to him, Bali itself already has four adequate fields for the implementation of world football, the main field is Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium and there is also GOR Ngurah Rai, the location of the International Youth Championship which brings together Bhayangkara Presisi, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Kashima Antlers in the U18 category.

In fact, in the future Koster promised to develop GOR Ngurah Rai so that it would be better than it is today.

"Now that GOR Ngurah Rai has been returned to the Bali Provincial Government, it used to be managed by KONI but not managed properly. I have plans for total rehabilitation, not only the stands have walls, especially the management so that they are more optimal because those who manage it should be professional," he said.

Seeing the readiness of the stadium, Koster assured international matches such as the IYC to be held regularly on the Island of the Gods. In fact, in the future he emphasized Bali's readiness to welcome other world teams.

"Very ready, the field is also quite adequate and the committee is also ready, frankly, if it will be carried out here again in this place, we will immediately organize this area so that it becomes neater and more beautiful," he said.