GBT Stadium Inspection Ahead Of The U-17 World Cup, Walkot Surabaya: 100 Percent Ready

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi held a surprise inspection (sidak) at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT).

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi held a surprise inspection (sidak) at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT).

Eri ensured that the GBT Stadium facilities and infrastructure were ready to be used as a venue for the 2023 U-17 World Cup match on November 10, 2023.

There are several things that are the focus of improvement before the U-17 World Cup takes place, one of which is the access road to the parking area of the GBT Stadium. He wants, access roads to enter the GBT Stadium gate to be made horizontal so as not to make it difficult for four-wheeled vehicles to enter.

"Everything was made right away, so so that the car doesn't tilt a bit like that. Because it's a bit high, when the sedan is definitely a bit of a turning maneuver, this is what I evaluate," said Eri Cahyadi, Monday, September 18.

In addition, Eri also asked his staff in the City Government (Pemkot) to immediately repair toilet facilities at the GBT Stadium, be it lighting, water quality, and cleanliness. He ensured that every gate (entrance) must also be lit up by lights and available prayer rooms.

In addition to lighting at every entrance to the audience, he also wants the plants around the GBT Stadium to be reorganized to make it look neat and comfortable. Because during the inspection, he saw that some of the plants on the fence of the GBT Stadium were not neat.

"The plants at the entrance were reorganized, so it was comfortable and neat. Earlier I also asked that the part that began to break down be re-aligned. When the Indonesian match was held in Surabaya, there would definitely be a lot of spectators, therefore we must welcome them to feel comfortable at GBT," he said.

Overall, Eri said that the facilities at the GBT Stadium are 100 percent ready to welcome the U-17 World Cup in November 2023. However, he wants these facilities to be perfected again so that spectators who come to the GBT Stadium feel comfortable.

"There are all the facilities, it's just not enough (pas). For example, there was a toilet earlier but the lights were not bright enough. There are all the facilities, but I want more than the standard that has been set," he said.

These minor improvements are confirmed to be completed in the second week of October 2023. Furthermore, the city government will prepare alternative roads to go to the GBT Stadium. Access, there are those who can go directly through toll roads, some through other public road access. "There will be traffic engineering with the Transportation Agency, related to all transportation to the GBT," he explained.

In addition, the Head of the Surabaya City Culture, Youth and Sports and Tourism Office (Disbudporapar) Wiwiek Widayati, said that several improvements would be made at the GBT Stadium, including toilets in the spectator stands. So far, continued Wiwiek, there has been no recommendation for special improvements from FIFA.

"In the stands we also tidy up, there are replacements (facilities) in the toilets, so that's what is being done in the meantime. The parking lot is also being paved for a little improvement," said Wiwiek.

The field facilities that will be used for official training areas are the same as the previous matches. Namely field A and C at GBT Stadium, Thor Field (Gelora Pancasila) and Gelora 10 November. "So far there has been no recommendation from FIFA, the field is more or less safe," he concluded.