"I agree with Mr. President (Joko Widodo), that politics and sports cannot be mixed," he said after officially assuming his ministerial role here on Tuesday.
He made the statement in reference to FIFA's decision to remove Indonesia as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the issue concerning the Israeli national team's participation in world sports competitions held in Indonesia.
Ariotedjo expressed his belief that good diplomacy and communication can help Indonesia host other prestigious sports events this year.
"Reflecting on the U-20 World Cup, I, as the youth and sports minister, will prioritize communication and collaboration; I will connect all stakeholders to find a common ground," he said.
Meanwhile, president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI/NOC Indonesia), Raja Sapta Oktohari, said sports should be free from politics and other interests related to it.
"Sports should be liberated from politics. I, as the President of KOI, the guardian of the Olympic Charter, uphold the principles of the Olympic Games, which is free from discrimination," he added.
"Indonesia is a big country — too big to ostracize and be isolated. We must be very smart in making decisions and showing stance, and Indonesia cannot be separated from the world sports governance," he added.
Furthermore, all world sports federations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have great concern for Indonesia, he said.
Hence, Indonesia must carefully consider its attitude and decisions, as the host of several world sports competitions, regarding certain countries, he stressed.
"We have to find solutions, not problems. Either IOC, ANOC, or FIFA, all of them love Indonesia. We are thinking of the best way to get out of this," he said.
When asked about solutions to prevent Indonesia from being dropped again as host, he said that all parties involved should remain within the sports corridor.
"(They) must be in the sports corridor because (sports) entering the political corridor can have an impact anywhere. Stick with the sport," he added.
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Translator: Arnidhya Z, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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