"FIFA in phase 1 assisted with funding of Rp85.6 billion. This is the first time that FIFA has provided a grant of this size to a country," Thohir stated at the IKN National Training Center Groundbreaking event, monitored from the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account in Jakarta, Friday.
The minister noted that the construction project of the IKN National Training Center was divided into two phases on 34.5 hectares of land granted from the IKN Authority.
Thohir targets the groundbreaking process for the IKN National Training Center to be completed in six months, faster than the initial project of eight months.
He explained that in phase one of construction, two field facilities were prepared along with accommodation facilities for athletes and coaches complete with changing rooms and other supporting facilities.
"And, of course, this is the result of cooperation from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) where the facilities for supporting infrastructure and land clearing were carried out by Pak Basuki (PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono)," he remarked.
Related news: FIFA to fund PSSI training center in Nusantara: Widodo
On the occasion, Thohir also expressed gratitude to Minister of Finance of Indonesia Sri Mulyani for State Budget (APBN) funding worth Rp90 billion for construction of the National Training Center at IKN Nusantara.
The minister noted that in the phase two of construction, eight fields will be built consisting of five large fields, one futsal field, one closed training field, and a bits football field along with other supporting facilities, such as swimming pool, science sports, and other amenities.
"I think this is a symbol that the international world, in this case FIFA, believes that the development of the Indonesian capital is truly real, and this is certainly a positive thing," he stated.
Thohir is optimistic that the existence of sports facilities at IKN Nusantara would fulfill the aspirations of the Indonesian football-loving community, where the government has made history in building an integrated National Football Training Center.
"This is none other than thanks to the encouragement and trust of the president and FIFA's commitment to see plans for the transformation of Indonesian football that are certainly clean and high-achieving," he remarked.
The IKN National Training Center groundbreaking event was attended by President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Ministers of "Indonesia Maju" (Advanced Indonesia) Cabinet, Exco PSSI, and FIFA representatives.
Related news: Government plans to build football training center in IKN Nusantara
Related news: Govt to give infrastructure support for football development: PSSI
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
