Jokowi Will Not Attend The 2022 Presidential Cup Opening, Menpora: Warmest Greetings From The President

Menpora Zainudin Amali at the opening of the 2022 Presidential Cup. (Doc. Kemenpora website)

SOLO - The 2022 Presidential Cup Pre-season Tournament was officially opened by the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali, Saturday, June 11. The Persis Solo match against PSS Sleman at the Mahahan Stadium, became the opening match.

In his remarks, Menpora conveyed greetings from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who could not attend the opening ceremony. Whereas previously, the number one person in Indonesia was scheduled to attend.

Jokowi is known to have attended a Team 7 Volunteer gathering in Ancol, North Jakarta.

"To the entire audience, I convey a warm greeting from President Joko Widodo who cannot attend this afternoon, because there was a concurrent activity that had been previously scheduled, he assigned me to represent the President to open," said the Minister of Youth and Sports, on the ministry's official website.

He then welcomed the return of the President's Cup pre-season tournament. Moreover, this year the audience can already attend, although only 75 percent.

"In the midst of the still pandemic conditions, the President conveyed his greetings to all spectators to be disciplined in maintaining health protocols. Because the success of this President's Cup will later be an example for organizing the Liga 1 competition in 2022-2023," said the man from Gorontalo.

Meanwhile, PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan thanked the government for continuing to support Indonesian football. He also said that the presence of the audience could not be separated from the role of the government, in this case the Ministry of Youth and Sports.