We will continue to develop Jakarta and equip it (with quality infrastructure), so that Jakarta has facilities that are at par with other cities in the world.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted that the establishment of the Indoor Multifunction Stadium (IMS) demonstrated that the government is striving to provide various quality public facilities to the residents of Jakarta.

Jokowi made the statement while attending the topping-off ceremony -- which is the completion of the construction process -- of the IMS or Indonesia Arena at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Complex, Senayan, here, on Friday.

"We will continue to develop Jakarta and equip it (with quality infrastructure), so that Jakarta has facilities that are at par with other cities in the world," he remarked at the ceremony, broadcast by the official channel of the Presidential Secretariat.

The president noted that the Indonesia Arena is one of the largest indoor sporting venues in Indonesia.

"Prior, the BUMN Minister (Erick Thohir) informed that it (the arena) can accommodate 16,250 spectators and be used for hosting various sports events, such as basketball, badminton, futsal, volleyball, as well as cultural festivals, performing arts, and concerts with huge capacity," he remarked.

Jokowi noted that the Indonesia Arena has been built since 2021, with a building area of 50,300 square meters.

According to a statement of the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry published earlier, development of the Indonesia Arena is targeted to be completed by June 2023.

Construction of the venue is conducted by the Directorate General of Human Settlements of the PUPR Ministry, with Rp639 billion of the state budget (APBN) being channeled.

During the period from August 25 to September 10, 2023, the Indonesia Arena will become the venue for the 2023 FIBA World Cup that is being co-hosted by Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan.

FIBA has assigned Indonesia to hold the preliminary round matches of Group G and Group H, the second-round matches of Group L, as well as the 17th-32nd Classification matches of Group P.

Earlier, the international basketball governing body had confirmed that the Canada national team, which was qualified for the cup on November 10, 2022, will compete at the Indonesia Arena.

The topping-off ceremony was also attended by several ministers, Jakarta government officials, as well as national sporting organization officials.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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