Government To Review U-20 World Cup Venue Readiness, Sesmenpora: It Needs Physical Improvements, But Minor

Sesmenpora Jonni Mardizal (left) and PSSI Secretary, Yunus Nusi (right). (Doc. Kemenpora)

JAKARTA - The government will conduct a review of six stadiums that will host the 2023 U-20 World Cup. The review will be carried out by the Ministry of Sports together with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, together with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

In addition, FIFA has also scheduled a visit to Indonesia in June 2022 to check directly the preparations for the U-20 World Cup.

Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Sesmenpora), Jonni Mardizal said the preparations were quite good. But admittedly there are some minor improvements.

"Nevertheless, we have to look at it together," said Jonni as quoted from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) website.

It should be noted again that the six stadiums that have been designated for the U-20 World Cup are Jakabaring Stadium (Palembang), Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Manahan Stadium Solo, Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), and the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Bali).

"The government welcomes and supports the presence of FIFA and the FIFA Member Associations as well as all visitors from all over the world in Indonesia in the framework of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2023," said Jonni.

Meanwhile, PSSI Secretary-General Yunus Nusi, who was also present at the meeting, revealed that the preparations for the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia were running according to target.

He also said, FIFA appreciates the progress of preparations made by Indonesia as the host, especially regarding infrastructure which continues to be carried out in stages.

"Hopefully in the future, it will be even more progressive and we just have to convince the public that Indonesia, God willing, can hold the U-20 World Cup," said Yunus, as reported by Antara.