PSSI Ketum Visits Candidate Stadium To Host The U-20 World Cup

Ketum PSSI Mochamad Iriawan and Governor of South Sumatra Herman Deru at the Jakabaring Stadium (Doc. Kemenpora)

JAKARTA - PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan visited the Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium, the candidate to host the 2021 U-20 World Cup. During the visit, Iwan Bule - his nickname - said that South Sumatra's long experience of hosting various international sports events gave special credit in determining host of the biennial football event.

Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium has various track records as a venue for holding football matches and international multi-branch championships. The Jakabaring Sports Complex has hosted the 2004 PON, the 2011 Sea Games, the 2013 Islamic Solidarity Games, the 2014 ASEAN University Games and the 2018 Asian Games.

Especially for football, Jakabaring co-hosted Jakarta in the AFC Cup 2010, Asian Champions League, Frenz U-18 International Cup 2015, AFF U-16 women 2018, women's soccer 2018 Asian Games, and others.

"Palembang has a lot of experience, but this still has to be supported by other factors, such as the synergy between central and regional governments as well as the seriousness of the local government in preparing each venue," said Iriawan in front of the Governor of South Sumatra Herman Deru, Tuesday, February 11.

Ketum PSSI while visiting Jakabaring Stadium (Doc. Kemenpora)

The Jakabaring Main Stadium is considered to have met the requirements. All seats are single seat, as well as the quality of zoysia matrella grass which is very adequate.

The supporting fields that are reviewed are four fields in the Jakabaring Complex, two athletic fields, as well as baseball and archery fields. One other training field he visited was the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium in the center of Palembang.

"In general, it needs improvements in supporting fields, for example the size and position of the field must be standard, as well as lights and fittings for changing rooms and press conference rooms," said Iriawan.

Previously, regional officials explained the readiness of South Sumatra to welcome the 2021 U-20 World Cup. Starting from security readiness, sports facilities, health facilities, to accommodation and tourism destinations. Palembang City has 57 star hotels and 105 non-star hotels in the homestay class.

"As governor, I state that South Sumatra is ready to commit to hosting the 2021 U-20 World Cup. The South Sumatra Provincial Government is ready to work together to meet all the requirements requested by FIFA and PSSI," said Herman Deru.

"Our strengths are having a classy sports infrastructure and experience in managing international events. Now it remains how to maintain the infrastructure, among others, by frequently holding activities here, ”Herman Deru concluded.

FIFA and PSSI will decide the six cities that will host the 2021 U-20 World Cup. Furthermore, Iwan Bule is scheduled to conduct a review of other provinces that have also been nominated to be the hosts, namely Riau and Bali.