"Solo will be the location for the semi-finals and finals of the U-17 World Cup because this city is historic as the first PON (National Sports Week) was held here," Thohir said in the selection event of the U-17 national team players, at Sriwedari Stadium in Solo.
The U-17 semi-finals and finals will be held in November this year, at the Manahan Solo Stadium, Central Java.
He hoped that all the U-17 young players can perform as well as the Indonesian national team for the SEA Games, which bagged gold for the country.
Thohir, who also serves as State-owned Enterprises Minister, said that the selection series of U-17 National Team players has been held in several cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Palembang, Bali, Solo, and Banjarmasin.
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The selection went smoothly and was carried out with integrity, he said.
"We want to provide as much as possible to the talents in Indonesia and we are preparing not only for the U-17 this year, but also for the U-20 in 2025," he explained.
According to him, long-term coaching programs are required to build a strong national team.
He announced that his side has signed (a contract) with Frank Wormuth from Germany, who will be helping U-17 national team coach, Indra Syafri.
Thohir said FIFA will inspect the Solo City's readiness for hosting the U-17 World Cup semi-finals and final rounds.
Meanwhile, some 280 players participated in the selection of the U-17 National Team at Sriwedari Stadium. Most of them came from soccer schools in the Greater Solo region.
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Translator: Bambang M, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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