This Is The Menpora's Response To The News Of The U-20 World Cup Not Entering The AFC Calendar

Menpora Zainudin Amali (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali responded to the news about the 2021 U-20 World Cup agenda that was not included in the official calendar of the AFC Asian football confederation for 2021.

According to Zainudin, the agendas included in the AFC calendar for next year are agendas that are shifting from 2020 to 2021.

"What is circulating in the community about the agenda at the AFC is actually the ones that were (held) in 2020 and then moved to 2021. So if the existing schedule is in 2021 there is no problem," said Zainudin as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 4th.

The AFC on Saturday, October 31 released the AFC calendar for 2021. There is no schedule for the 2021 U-20 World Cup which will take place on 20 May-12 June 2021 in six cities / districts in Indonesia. Likewise, the U-19 Asian Cup agenda has not been listed in the calendar.

Various speculations have emerged, including rumors that the 2021 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia will be postponed because there are still concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic does not end until next year.

Menpora asked the public not to be easily influenced by the news circulating. He emphasized that the implementation of the 2021 FIFA World Cup U-20 is still according to the predetermined schedule.

"Once again, hope that the public will not be affected by the news and I emphasize that the implementation of the FIFA World Cup U-20 2021 in Indonesia is still in accordance with the schedule that has been submitted," he stressed.

Zainudin added that preparations for the world soccer championship are still being carried out. The composition of the organizing committee (INAFOC), according to him, is still being prepared and finalized to be immediately submitted to FIFA.