Positive Progress Of Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium For The 2023 U-20 World Cup That Satisfactorily Endows Erick Thohir

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir, while inspecting Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium Surabaya, the U-20 World Cup venue. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

SURABAYA Chairman of the 2023 U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee (LOC), Erick Thohir, said that the progress of the renovation of the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya for the benefit of the 2023 U-20 World Cup was very positive.

Erick directly reviewed the renovation process for the GBT Stadium, Monday, March 13 morning. Various supporting infrastructures in the pride of the residents of Surabaya are still being accelerated.

"With the current conditions, it can be said that GBT is one of the best in Indonesia. The renovation of the football field is maximized, as well as supporting infrastructure," Erick said in an official statement.

In the last two months, the Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) and the Ministry of PUPR have continued to complete the repair of the GBT. The results of their hard work can certainly be completed on schedule.

The work continues to be accelerated because the parent international football (FIFA) will conduct its final FIFA audit on March 21-27, 2023. Therefore, some records of deficiencies continue to be met.

Facilities that are currently in the process of being worked on include disability lines, journalists' areas, VIP stands, and parking lots. In addition, the field fences are all closed.

"We can now be grateful that outside Jakarta has good facilities with international standards. This shows that development is not only concentrated in Jakarta, but also in other areas," said Erick Thohir who is also the General Chair of PSSI.

In addition to the main field, renovations were also carried out at Field A and C training venues in the GBT and Gelora 10 November and Thor areas. FIFA during the visit at the end of January 2023 then raised its thumbs up with the progress of repairing the two fields.

The international football authority had checked the soil structure, field, grass length, and watering and drainage systems. The results of the checks were satisfactory.

Among the six U-20 World Cup venues, Surabaya got good grades from FIFA in previous verification. However, improvement efforts to improve quality standards continue to be carried out.

"If East Java can do it, other regions can do it. We have to be serious about infrastructure, FIFA does not hesitate to reduce the two stadiums. We must prepare everything optimally so that unwanted things happen," said Erick.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup will be held from May 20-June 11 in six cities. A total of 24 countries will compete in the final round later, including Indonesia which gets automatic tickets due to their host status.