The Governor of Bali Refuses the Israeli National Team to Compete in the U-20 World Cup, This is the Menpora's Response

Acting Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Muhadjir Effendy. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has refused to allow the Israeli national team to compete on the Island of the Gods in the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

Responding to this, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Muhadjir Effendy said he had communicated directly with the Governor of Bali.

"I have received and have communicated, and have discussed. My conclusion and I hope my conclusion is the same as the Governor, is that the letter is still in a coma, the point is that the comma is not a full stop", said Muhadjir, Wednesday, March 21.

Muhadjir also said that regarding Israel's issue of playing in the U-20 World Cup, would continue to be well communicated.

"The point is that this is already a government policy, so we will look for common ground. Since we are the hosts, we are applying, that must be taken into consideration. We will definitely communicate again, the governor is part of an extension of the government", said Muhadjir.

The man who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture said he highly upholds the constitution.

"We must obey the constitution, yes, it is not negotiable. Because it is not just a law, but the basic law which is located at the opening of the first paragraph", he added.

"That's why we shouldn't mess with it. But remember we are also part of the citizens of the world who now have the honour of being the host, which is not certain that we will get this opportunity in 50 years", he stressed.

Indonesia has been named the host for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

The Israeli national team as one of the participants will appear in the U-20 World Cup.

In this event, the government has designated six provinces as venues, namely DKI Jakarta, South Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java and Bali.