Don't Touch SUGBK First

JAKARTA - The grass field at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium was reportedly damaged after being used for a music concert. Now, the management is carrying out repairs so that the stadium is ready to be used as a venue for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

During the repair process, SUGBK should not be touched at all. Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2023 U-20 World Cup (LOC), Erick Thohir emphasized that the SUGBK field cannot be used for any activities until the holding of the U-20 World Cup.

"Essentially, earlier I spoke with the GBK Directors. Whatever has been implemented so far, we must maintain it together and of course, improvements must be made because this is a critical condition. This is a mega field in Indonesia which is very important for the world championship," said Erick Thohir while observing the SUGBK field, Monday, March 13.

"There will be an opening here as well as other opening things. So I have to take a position that there are no more events here, whether sporting events or artistic events," he stressed.

The grass on the GBK Stadium field was bald and yellowed in several parts after the venue was used for two days to hold a Blackpink concert.

Currently, the Manager of GBK is working hard so that the field conditions meet FIFA standards in the near future. Erick said the management had agreed to repair the damage.

The man who is also the General Chairman of PSSI stated that his party would continue to assist. "We also don't want to leave the Board of Directors of GBK. But what was said earlier, why am I specifically speaking here, because the complexity of caring for this grass is not like the one in our yard," he said.

"I also see that FIFA's standards are getting higher and higher, so this is what I think the perception should be the same," said Erick Thohir.

The GBK Stadium was the last stadium inspected by the local U-20 World Cup committee. Previously, Erick and his entourage had visited Gelora Sriwijaya in Palembang, South Sumatra, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency, West Java, Manahan Solo Stadium, Central Java, and Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java.

From a review of the GBK Stadium, the only problem encountered was the grass because it had just been used to hold a music concert. The rest of the GBK Stadium is relatively problem-free.

"Yes, I think it's just grass. And this is just a matter of our seriousness in working together and I'm sure that under the leadership of Mr. Heru (Budi Hartono) as Acting Governor (DKI Jakarta), he is definitely an extension of the hand that protects the dignity of Jakarta and must be the opening place," said the figure who also served as Minister of BUMN.