Acting Governor Of South Sulawesi Claims Jokowi Promises To Build Stadium In Makassar In Sudiang: God Willing, This Year

Acting Governor Of South Sulawesi Bahtiar Bahharuddin/ANTARA

Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Bahtiar Bahharuddin expressed President Joko Widodo's wish to build a soccer stadium in Makassar City before departing from Hasanuddin Air Base Operations, Maros Regency after his working visit to South Sulawesi Province.

"There are aspirations from the public who want to own a stadium. We have already reported it to the President. Actually, we have also proposed it since last year, together with Forkopimda, the Kapolda and the Pangdam. And earlier, the President promised directly, this year a stadium was built, God willing, the Minister of PUPR will build it," Bahtiar told reporters at Hasanuddin Air Base, Maros, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 22.

He said, after accompanying President Jokowi's working visit at four points, Maros City, Pangkajene Islands Regency (Pangkep) and Maros Regency, he had been given directions to convey the good news to the people of South Sulawesi.

"God willing, the aspirations of the people of South Sulawesi to have a representative stadium will be built this year by the Ministry of PUPR," he said after delivering the President's return with his entourage at Sultan Hasanuddin Air Base.

To support this intention, the South Sulawesi Provincial Government has prepared a location at the Sudiang Sport Center with an area of 20 hectares. This location is considered very strategic because it is in the middle of Makassar City.

"We have submitted the budget (development) to PUPR. So the local government has prepared a clearing land. Because in the Sudiang area there are 75 hectares. It has been intended for sports activities from the start," he explained.

"Once again I cannot hide happiness, because it has been a long dream for our people. God willing, this year will be realized by President Joko Widodo, and I once again as Acting Governor are very grateful," he added.

According to him, this proves that President Jokowi listens seriously to the aspirations of the people. His job is to prepare the existing land owned by the provincial government in the Sudiang area and has been used as a sports center location with a total area of 75 hectares.

"This area can really become a stadium area that is feasible and can be used on an international scale. Because this area is an integrated area, so we must indeed plan the development of the Makassar area and its surroundings to be integrated," he said.

The former Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) of the Ministry of Home Affairs said that his party together with Forkopimda Sulsel, Mayor of Makassar, Regent of Gowa, Regent of Maros, Regent of Pangkep and Regent of Takalar were soon invited to Jakarta to plan an integrated area.

Previously, the South Sulawesi Provincial Government through the Youth and Sports Office had lobbied the Central Government for the budget to build a stadium in the Sudiang area, Biringkanaya District. In addition, the Provincial Government has made efforts to make this program included in the national program.

"The Acting Governor has asked us to write a letter, asking the center for the state budget so that a stadium can be built in Sudiang. Then, we wrote to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs, and PSSI. We involve PSSI because they understand about the stadium," said Head of South Sulawesi Youth and Sports Agency Suherman recently.