Thus, once again, we have no information about the continuation of the tournament (in Indonesia).
Gianyar, Bali (ANTARA) - Officials from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) visited Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium here on Monday to check the readiness of the stadium as a venue for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

"Despite the cancelation of Bali as the host of the (group stage) draw, we still continue to complete the stadium inspection," a FIFA official, Christian Schmölzer, said during a briefing with the FIFA inspection team, the Indonesia FIFA U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee (INAFOC), and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

He said that he could not confirm whether Indonesia will remain the host of the tournament since, so far, FIFA has only officially decided to drop Bali as the draw host.

"Thus, once again, we have no information about the continuation of the tournament (in Indonesia)," he added.

The FIFA official divided the inspection team, which consisted of 40 people, into 5 small groups to review the stadium management and security; marketing and competition implementation; media, broadcasting, and technology; guest operations; as well as stadium accreditation.

"We came here directly to inspect (the condition of the stadium) as well as to confirm several matters to the LOC and local authorities, including stadium management, entry and exit routes, and parking areas," he informed.

Schmölzer, who was accompanied by deputy chairperson II of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Ratu Tisha Destria, and chairperson of the Bali provincial association of PSSI, I Ketut Suardana, inspected the parking lot, pitch, and grandstand of the stadium.

Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium and several training fields prepared for the participants of the cup in Bali, such as Ngurah Rai Stadium, Gelora Samudra Kuta Stadium, Gelora Tri Sakti Legian Field, and Kompyang Sujana Field were the last facilities reviewed by the FIFA inspection team.

The team was in Indonesia from March 22 to 27, 2023, to inspect the six stadiums proposed by the government as venues for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held from May 20 to June 11.

The other five stadiums are Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Jakarta), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (West Java), Manahan Stadium (Central Java), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), and Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium (South Sumatra).


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Translator: Genta Mawangi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Atman Ahdiat
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