Solo Manahan Stadium Ready For The U-20 World Cup

Manahan Stadium (Instagram.com/@persisofficial)

JAKARTA - The Solo Manahan Stadium in Central Java, which was appointed as one of the arenas, has prepared itself to welcome the 20th World Cup football match which will be held in May 2023.

"The Solo Manahan Stadium is currently being used for the first round of Liga 1 and I think before the World Cup there will be improvements if something is still lacking," said Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, quoted from Antara, Monday.

Gibran hopes that Manahan Stadium can still be used to hold Liga 1 matches before the U-20 World Cup match. Liga 1 which had just rolled back to finish the first round after the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.

"The U-20 World Cup match is still five months away, but the Solo Manahan Stadium is in good condition," said Gibran.

According to Gibran, if there is something missing, it will be repaired again. Regarding field conditions, there is a puddle of water in the field, it can definitely occur if the rainfall is heavy, but the dryness is also fast and the field is good.

Gibran hopes that if there can be events such as Liga 1, it will be accommodated first, but it all depends on the Menpora.

"I will try to coordinate with the Minister of Youth and Sports," said Gibran.

Regarding welcoming supporters in the U-20 World Cup match in Solo, said Gibran, later someone will arrange the organizing committee.

The Surakarta City Government will also support and prepare infrastructure such as for lodging or hotels and transportation such as previous activities, namely the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG).

Gibran said the sterile Solo Manahan Stadium for preparation was estimated in January 2023, but his party was waiting for instructions from the Menpora, when to start renovations and others.

Indonesia has hosted the U-20 World Cup, including the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium Senayan Jakarta, Sijalak Harupat Stadium Soreang West Java, Manahan Stadium Solo Central Java, Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) Surabaya East Java, Captain I Wayan Dipta Bali Stadium, and South Sumatra Jakabaring Stadium.

In addition to the Solo Manahan Stadium, which is the main arena for the U-20 World Cup match, Solo has also prepared four supporting fields for the training of the participating teams, namely Sriwedari Stadium, Kotabarat Field, Sriwaru and Banyuanyar.