We continue to prepare the organizing committee and the coordination with provincial, districts, and municipal authorities
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali echoed Indonesia's readiness to be a good host for teams participating in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup next year.

The minister affirmed that government ministries and institutions as well as authorities of regions designated as the games' host continue to coordinate with one another to successfully hold the World Cup.

"We continue to prepare the organizing committee and the coordination with provincial, districts, and municipal authorities. We are not only aspiring to become a host of a football competition but are also keen to showcase Indonesia. We also want to show that Indonesia can be a good host," Amali stated here, Friday.

Following the launch of Bacuya, the mascot of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he noted that FIFA representatives were pleased with the ongoing progress in preparations for the World Cup in Indonesia.

The minister also spoke of not having set a high target for the national U-20 football team, as he was aware of the fact that rival teams participating in the World Cup were far more experienced and advanced.

He emphasized that the U-20 Garuda Squad must exert all-out efforts to at least clear the qualification stage.

"We must realize that if we target the champion, we must face more advanced and superior rival teams from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. I already urged the national team players to exert their efforts and, at least, pass the qualification stage," Amali remarked.

The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11, 2023, with 24 participating countries, including the host, Indonesia, which automatically qualifies for the cup.

Six stadiums in six cities readied to host the matches are Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta; Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang, South Sumatra; Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java; Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java; Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, East Java; and Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar, Bali.

Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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