Finally, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Issued A Permit To Hold A Football Tournament

Illustration-U-19 national team players undergo their first field training in a series of training camps (TC) at the Gelora Bung Karno Intermediate Stadium (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo officially gave permission to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) to hold a football tournament. But this permit is only for pre-season starting in March 2020.

"Today afternoon, I will hand over the permit for the pre-competition (football) crowd", Listyo told reporters, Thursday, February 18.

The granting of this permit, said Listyo, was based on strict notes. For example, there are no spectators present in the soccer stadium. Then, staff and players who are not directly involved in the game must implement health protocols.

"Both the football club, the players and also the supporters anywhere, if this is done, enforcement of the rules related to the health protocol will be a priority", Listyo said.

Mesko has given permission, Listyo emphasized that he will still supervise the tournament. Later, the results of the supervision will be used as an assessment to decide whether to grant permission to hold a full football tournament.

"Of course we will see whether the implementation can be carried out according to those conditions. If the conditions can be implemented, we will evaluate it gradually so that of course the event organizers can get better," he said.

In addition, the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali said that the pre-season tournament was expected to be held on March 20. With permission from the National Police, it is hoped that all parties involved in the tournament can follow the existing rules.

"Indeed, it has become an agreement that what will be done later is a pre-season tournament. This is also a test, whether the money has been submitted when requesting permission from the PSSI and LIB is obeyed or not", he said.