New Stadium Worth Rp639 Billion Built At GBK Senayan For The 2023 Basketball World Cup, But Indonesia Does Not Participate

FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis photographed the construction of the Indonesia Arena Stadium accompanied by Perbasi Secretary General Nirmala Dewi (left) in the Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Thursday (14/7/22). (Antara/Dolly Rosana)

JAKARTA - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) believes that the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indonesia will continue to be lively even without the presence of the home team.

FIBA's Director of Sports and Competition Predrag Bogosavljev during a visit to the Indonesia Arena, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday, said the presence of a row of world basketball stars would be an attraction for spectators to attend live.

"We are optimistic because the best basketball players in the world will come to Indonesia. They will inspire Indonesian basketball. There will also be fans from abroad who will also come who I think will provide an unforgettable atmosphere at the FIBA World Cup 2023," said Bogosavljev as reported by Antara.

As is known, Indonesia, together with the Philippines and Japan, will host the 2023 FIBA World Cup finals.

However, the Red and White squad will be absent because they fail to meet the requirements, namely to enter the top eight in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup which is currently still taking place at Istora GBK.

In this event, Indonesia's steps were stopped in the playoffs after losing to China with a landslide score of 58-108.

On the same occasion, FIBA President Hamane Niang also appreciated Indonesia's preparation as the host. Indonesia Arena, which is currently under construction, is considered to have met the standards.

"Very happy to visit Jakarta. This building is very important for the preparation of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This is a very ambitious project and I am very happy to see this infrastructure firsthand," said Niang.

Indonesia Arena is a multifunctional stadium built to welcome the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. With a construction project contract value of Rp639 billion, this stadium has a capacity of 16,000 people with a number of world-class facilities.