"I think the cancellation should not make us lose our enthusiasm. It is not the apocalypse," he stated in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Thursday.
The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) cancelled Indonesia's hosting of the U-20 World Cup this May after FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a meeting with Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir in Switzerland on Wednesday.
Vice President Amin called on all parties to accept FIFA's decision.
"We have to accept it, but it is not the end for our football," he stated.
According to the vice president, FIFA is still keen to continue to foster Indonesian national football.
"We still have other international football events that we can participate in. FIFA's decision should not make us pessimistic," he emphasized.
Moreover, the Indonesian government has prepared a National Sports Grand Design (DBON), he stated.
"The DBON must continue to be carried out. We must develop our football as an effort to become champions in the ASEAN, Asia, and even at the global level," he stated.
In a FIFA statement posted on its official website, the association will appoint a new host as soon as possible, while the date for the competition remains unchanged, from May 20 to June 11, 2023.
In addition, it was announced that potential sanctions against Indonesia would also be announced at a later stage.
"FIFA would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting PSSI, in close collaboration and with the support of President (Joko) Widodo, in the process of transforming Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022," FIFA noted in a statement.
FIFA team members will also continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming years to provide the necessary assistance to PSSI, under the leadership of Erick Thohir.
The statement ended with information that a meeting between the FIFA president and the general chair of PSSI to conduct further discussions will be scheduled in the near future.
Earlier, the hosting of the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia has become a cause for concern for several parties in Indonesia after the rejection of the arrival of the Israeli national team, as one of the participants. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster even sent a letter to the youth and sports minister stating that Bali was reluctant to host matches involving Israel.
Based on several of these rejections, FIFA then canceled the official draw for group assignments scheduled on Friday, March 31, before then completely canceling Indonesia's hosting of the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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