Jokowi: The U-17 World Cup Realizes Indonesia's Positive Image in the Eyes of the World

Capture the screen / President Joko Widodo provides a press statement

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that Indonesia's success in hosting the 2023 U-17 World Cup had a positive impact on the perception of Indonesia's image in the eyes of the world.

"This achievement is a matter of pride for all Indonesian people and has a positive impact on the perception of Indonesia's image in the eyes of the world," said President Jokowi at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, reported by ANTARA, Monday, December 4.

The U-17 World Cup which ends on December 2 2023, said Jokowi, was held successfully and ran very well for 23 days.

In fact, the tournament, which involved 24 teams divided into six groups, received appreciation from the World Football Federation (FIFA) as one of the best in the world.

"Thank God, on December 2 2023, the World Cup for U-17 was completed, it was successful and the organization was very good and this was appreciated by FIFA as one of the best events," he said.

According to Jokowi, holding the U-17 World Cup will also encourage economic and tourism growth for Indonesia.

Because of this, Jokowi ordered PSSI and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) to again explore the opportunity to hold the U-20 Cup in 2025 and U-17 for 2025-2029.

Jokowi believes that Indonesia and Singapore can be good hosts. He hopes that Indonesia and Singapore can hold the two tournaments.

"Bidding together with Singapore. I am sure Indonesia and Singapore will be good hosts for the two tournaments I mentioned earlier, namely U-17 and U-20," he said.

To achieve this direction, said Jokowi, the Indonesian government is in the process of completing renovation projects for 22 football stadiums in various regions.

"In preparation for going there, perhaps I need to submit a declaration of interest which has been signed by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and the Football Association of Singapore, everything has been done," he said.

Regarding the evaluation of the performance of the U-17 National Team which lost in the preliminary round of Group A, Jokowi said that the entire process towards winning the title could not be implemented instantly.

"I think the best thing is that the more we participate in world level competitions, the better it will be for our U-17 or U-20, so this will build the future of Indonesian football, not just now, but once again the more we participate in competitions the better it will be," he said.