First Command Of Menpora As Chairman Of INAFOC: Order PSSI To Continue To Chase FIFA About Stadiums

Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali (Instagram @kemenpora)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali is in command of the preparation for the U-20 World Cup. He was appointed directly by President Jokowi to become Chairman of the Indonesia FIFA U-20 World Cup 2021 Organizing Committee (INAFOC) to make Indonesia a successful host.

The first step made by the Menpora as Chairman of INAFOC was to order the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to coordinate with the Football Federation (FIFA) regarding the stadium which will be the venue for the match. As is known, there are six stadiums that were presented by PSSI to FIFA.

The six stadiums are Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Manahan Stadium, Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, and Jakabaring Stadium. Now the decision is in the hands of FIFA. However, it is not certain when the parent of world football will provide certainty.

According to the Menpora, it will take a long time to wait for FIFA's decision, even though the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Kemen PUPR) needs time for administrative work and preparation. For that, Zainudin Amali asked PSSI to continue to coordinate with FIFA.

This Golkar politician claims that there are already four stadiums that are confirmed to be venues, namely SUGBK, Bung Tomo, Manahan and I Wayan Dipta. Meanwhile, Si Jalak Harupat and Jakabaring are still waiting for FIFA's approval. If there are changes, he continued, it will be adjusted to FIFA's decision.

"PSSI must coordinate with FIFA continuously. We are waiting. The decision (meeting) is important to take immediately, because the PUPR Ministry needs certainty for physical work and administrative preparations," said the Menpora.

"If FIFA decides otherwise, it will be adjusted later. We hope FIFA will adjust to what has been prepared," he added.

Another task for PSSI is clearly to prepare a quality Indonesian national team. This task is the responsibility of the Chairman of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan.

Menpora reiterated that President Jokowi wants Indonesia not only to be successful in holding, but also to hope for achievements in the green field.

"Yes, (President Joko Widodo) hopes that the maximum is yes, not only to the preliminaries. So, as the host, we must maximize it. The hope of the President must achieve," said the Menpora.