...thus it will not be too difficult for us to implement the 2023 Asian Cup.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has endorsed the Indonesian Football Association’s (PSSI’s) proposal to hold the 2023 Asian Cup in Indonesia following China's withdrawal as host of the tournament.

"The government has allowed PSSI (to submit the proposal to the Asian Football Confederation or AFC)," Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali informed at a press conference here on Tuesday.

On Tuesday (June 28, 2022) or Wednesday (June 29), the PSSI, represented by its deputy chairperson and secretary general, will meet with AFC officials, he said.

The government has approved the proposal since the 2023 Asian Cup is scheduled shortly after the 2023 U-20 World Cup, which Indonesia is hosting, he added.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in May–June, while the 2023 Asian Cup is planned to be conducted in June–July.

"Our infrastructure will still be ready (to host the Asian Cup after the U-20 World Cup) and the human resources will also still be ready (to be deployed), thus it will not be too difficult for us to implement the 2023 Asian Cup," the minister explained.

Currently, Indonesia has prepared six main stadiums for the U-20 World Cup. However, the minister assured that the government is ready to provide additional venues if required.

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Regarding the budget, he said that his ministry still has to coordinate further with PSSI.

However, he said that if Indonesia is selected to host the 2022 Asian Cup, the tournament will not burden the state budget too much since a number of facilities used for the tournament will be the same as those prepared for the U-20 World Cup.

In addition to Indonesia, several countries have also expressed an interest in hosting the 2023 Asian Cup, including South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Qatar.

According to information posted on PSSI’s website here on Tuesday, the association has officially proposed Indonesia’s name as the host of the tournament.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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