Mayor Of Surabaya Proposes Use Of GBT For Persebaya To PUPR

Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahaydi and Persebaya President Azrul Ananda during a meeting at Surabaya City Hall, Tuesday (9/5/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Surabaya)

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi proposed the use of Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) for Persebaya matches to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) in Jakarta.

"God willing, Thursday (11/5), I was with Mas Azrul Ananda (Presebaya President) to the Ministry of PUPR as well as sent a letter and asked permission," said Cak Eri, Eri's nickname, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

According to him, the application for a permit to use the GBT Stadium for football matches must be carried out because the stadium is still under the authority of the Ministry of PUPR. Meanwhile, the contract between the Surabaya City Government and the Ministry of PUPR only ended on June 20, 2023.

Cak Eri said that Persebaya management wanted to use the GBT Stadium for matches on May 28 and June 18, 2023. But now, he said, the process of divesting the grass at the GBT Stadium by the Ministry of PUPR has not been completed because the equipment is still being used to Jakarta.

In addition, Cak Eri has also asked the Surabaya Culture, Youth and Sports Service (Disbudparpora) not to let Persebaya practice outside the City of Heroes. Because, he said, the city of Surabaya has a number of soccer fields that can be used for training.

"For example, the use of THOR Field. THOR Field can be used (Persebaya exercises), people can also use it. So later divided into time," he said.

According to him, after all, Persebaya Surabaya is an icon of the City of Heroes. If Persebaya wins, the good name of the City of Surabaya will also be raised. "That's why we will fully support how this can work," he said.

In addition, Cak Eri admitted that previously contacted by the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) regarding the plan to use the GBT Stadium for the Indonesian national team match against Palestine on June 14, 2023.

He also hopes that the GBT Stadium can also be used for Persebaya matches. "This means that I hope that this (GBT Stadium) can also be used for Persebaya," he said.

Meanwhile, Persebaya Surabaya Manager Yahya Alkatiri admitted that he was grateful that there was no problem with the field rental polemic for Persebaya's training. Currently, he said, we are just waiting for the permit to use the GBT Stadium from the Ministry of PUPR.

"Alhamdulillah, Mr. Mayor is wise, indeed he loves Persebaya. So this problem is quickly resolved and he himself will face the Ministry of PUPR and this is the best solution," said Yahya.

For this reason, he said, his party stated that it would maximize a number of fields in the City of Heroes for the training of Persebaya players. Moreover, he said, Mayor Eri gave full support to Persebaya.

"What is clear is that we will maximize it, the Mayor also fully supports Persebaya. God willing, we will use the fields in Surabaya well," he said.