DKI Prepares Grass Debris To Be Transferred To JIS Ahead Of The U-17 World Cup

Workers put up grass for the training field at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) Main Stadium Complex, Jakarta, Friday, October 23, 2020. (ANTARA PHOTO-Puspa Perwitasari).

JAKARTA - Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono said that the central government has delegated the responsibility of repairing the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) grass to the DKI Provincial Government. "It has been explained by the Minister (PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono) inside (the stadium), the grass is DKI. This includes outside the access road from east to west," said Heru at the PUPR Ministry building, South Jakarta, Wednesday, August 9. Continuing, the President Director of PT Jakarta Propertindo Iwan Takwin said that his party as the JIS manager began to prepare grass breeding on the land owned by the DKI BUMD. The grass to be cultivated is used if there is damage to JIS grass or does not meet the quality of FIFA standards as an U-17 World Cup venue. "We have to be ready for nursery because this is a high frequency match. If suddenly grass dies because suddenly it is used, everything must be replaced," said Iwan. "The name is back up grass nursery, so if for example there is an international tournament like this or what, which is indeed a high frequency match, it must be on standby," continued Iwan. Iwan said the land prepared for grass breeding is located in North Jakarta. This is done while waiting for the FIFA to observe the feasibility of JIS grass. "The stage is clearly like a sick person. What kind of pain was observed first, because of what. So that later the medicine or replacement will be improved clearly," he explained. Regarding the U-17 World Cup venue, FIFA decided on the four stadiums to be used, namely the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), Si Jalak Harupat (Bandung), Gelora Bung Tomo (Surabaya), and Manahan (Solo). "Now there are only 94 days to go to the U-17 World Cup and of course the funds that must be disbursed must be as efficient as possible. Therefore, from the eight stadiums, the results of the meeting with FIFA, we agreed on four stadiums (for venues)," said PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir in Senayan on Monday, August 7th.

"Why are there four stadiums? Because we are thinking about logistics too, flying here and there, it must be taken into account. Therefore, there is an agreement with FIFA, but the one who will announce FIFA, yes, not me," he continued.