This Indonesian Supporter Hopes The U-20 World Cup Can Be As Successful As The Qatar 2022 World Cup

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - A football fans from Indonesia, Hilal, hopes that next year's U-20 World Cup can imitate several positive aspects of Qatar's 2022 World Cup.

Hilal, who was about to watch the quarter-final match between Morocco and Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Saturday, December 10 evening, admitted that he was very impressed by the efficiency of the travel flow of the 2022 World Cup supporters arranged by the committee.

"The efficiency is. We get off the metro station, we can immediately get a bus, then even if the road route has all been made easier," Hilal said, quoted from Antara, Sunday, December 11.

Hilal also admitted that he was impressed by the presence of volunteers who were placed so close together along the journey of supporters to the match stadiums.

Hilal said that he and his two friends had been in Doha since Wednesday 7 December and the plan was to watch the entire quarter-final match, but only got Croatia vs Brazil and Morocco vs Portugal tickets.

Previously, during the first two days Hilal et al still relied on car rentals or ride-sharing transportation applications because they did not know that public modes such as metros and buses were provided free of charge by the 2022 World Cup committee.

"Travel doesn't really bother, yes, in the first two days we were still taking a rent car, because I don't know if it turns out that public transportation is free. Now I know, taking a metro, a bus, it's really easy and free too," he said.

"Of all the existing facilities, I hope that Indonesia can imitate Qatar for next year's U-20 World Cup. Hopefully, it can even be better than Qatar," he added.

If there is a shortage of Qatar's 2022 World Cup, Hilal says that the cost of living incurred while enjoying the quadrennial tournament is very expensive.

Regarding emulating the positive aspect of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, one of the Indonesian students who became a volleyball player, Hendriyadi, hopes that what he did in the tournament can be implemented in the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

As the volleyball player for the 2022 World Cup, Hendriyadi served as Sustainability Venue Coordinator in two arenas of matches, namely Khalifa International Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.

In general, it is in charge of ensuring that accessibility facilities, or accommodation for persons with disabilities or those with medical injuries and/or using wheelchairs can be reached and used properly.

In addition, Hendri is also tasked with regulating the placement of drinking water faucets and smoking areas around the stadium.

"Hopefully the sustainability best practices in Qatar can be brought to the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia," said Hendri, who admitted that he also plans to register as a volleyball player for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.