All aspects of the preparation (for the U-20 World Cup) until its implementation must be ensured to run (smoothly) as well as to be handled properly and professionally according to FIFA’s standards.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government and the world’s football governing body, FIFA, agreed to ensure that implementation of the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be hosted by the country in 2023 would run well and smoothly.
The agreement was made when Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s visit at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.
"All aspects of the preparation (for the U-20 World Cup) until its implementation must be ensured to run (smoothly) as well as to be handled properly and professionally according to FIFA’s standards," Jokowi noted at a press conference with Infantino after their meeting.
The statement reemphasized that Indonesia still holds the right to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Earlier, several parties raised concerns that the right might be revoked in the aftermath of the Kanjuruhan stampede.
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Initially, Indonesia was designated to host the 2021 U-20 World Cup according to results of the FIFA Council meeting in Shanghai, China, on October 24, 2019.
However, the event had to be postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
On the same occasion, Infantino echoed Jokowi's statement on FIFA's readiness to work concertedly with the Indonesian government to ensure the successful implementation of the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
The FIFA president noted that after the implementation of the 2022 World Cup participated by 32 senior national teams in Qatar in November to December 2022, the U-20 World Cup is the next most prestigious men's football competition in the world.
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"The best players from all over the world will come to Indonesia, and their talent will shine from Indonesia to the entire world," he remarked.
Hence, Infantino emphasized the need to ensure several aspects, such as the revitalization of host stadiums of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the smooth running of the tournament.
He assessed that the sporting event could become a momentum for Indonesia to prove its visions and love for football.
The 2023 U-20 World Cup is scheduled to take place from May 20 to June 11, 2023, with some 24 participating countries.
Indonesia has proposed six stadiums to host the competition: the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta; Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province; Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung District, West Java Province; Manahan Stadium in Solo City, Central Java Province; Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya City, East Java Province; and Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar District, Bali Province.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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