LOC 2023 World Cup Talks About Raisa And Blackpink Concerts In SUGBK: We Continue To Communicate With FIFA

Lead Projet LOC (Local Organizing Committee) World Cup U-20 2023, Maake Ira Puspita. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - Lead Projet LOC (Local Organizing Committee) for the 2023 U-20 World Cup, Maaike Ira Puspita, continues to communicate with FIFA regarding the use of the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) as a venue for Raisa and Blackpink concerts.

Previously, the holding of Raisa and Blackpink concerts at SUGBK became a polemic. The reason is, the event is expected to damage the grass of the stadium which is ready to be used to organize the most prestigious age group event.

"Actually, for that [concert] we have been in constant communication. We have a working group between the LOC and the stadium manager. In addition, we also continue to communicate with FIFA," said Ira when met at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Thursday, February 9, 2023.

FIFA previously last December had sent a reply letter to PSSI to prohibit any activities from being held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. The ban was issued after consulting FIFA officials.

They emphasized that holding two concerts in the near future with various preparations and demolition could damage the stadium grass. If that happens, their party will find it difficult to implement field management.

Ira said that until now her party had only received input from FIFA regarding all activity plans at SUGBK. The input received by LOC was then communicated again to the stadium.

"We have communicated the concert for the February one. Yesterday there was a grass inspection. So, we'll just have to wait for the results. We'll talk through the data. So, we have communicated these concerts since the beginning of the year," said Ira.

Raisa plans to hold a concert at Gelora Bung Karno on February 25. Meanwhile, Blackpink will follow with a concert for two days from 11 to 12 March.

The Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium is one of six venues to be used for the 2023 U-20 World Cup. The other five stadiums used are Jalak Harupat (Bandung), Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), Manahan (Surakarta), I Wayang Dipta (Bali), and Gelora Sriwijaya (Palembang).

The event, which is attended by 24 national teams of age groups, will take place from May 20 to June 11, 2023. A total of 14 teams have confirmed themselves to qualify, through Indonesia, which automatically inputs the final round because of its status as the host.

The other 13 countries are Brazil, Uruguay, Italy, England, Slovakia, Fiji, New Zealand, United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Gutemala, France, and Israel. Thus, there are still 10 tickets to be contested.