Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono (third from the right), Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo (right), and chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir (second from the right), at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (August 9, 2023). (ANTARA/Aji Cakti)
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is preparing to renovate six additional training fields for the U-17 World Cup based on the results of FIFA inspections.
"There are additional training fields; for Jakarta, (there are) Soemantri Brodjonegoro Field and Banteng Field," Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono informed at a press conference here on Wednesday.
According to him, FIFA has given several notes on the two football fields about their turf, changing rooms, and lamps, among other things.
He further said two additional training fields will also be prepared in Bandung — Arcamanik Field and ITB Field. Several notes have been received from FIFA on the two fields, which also need to be followed up.
Meanwhile, the two additional fields in Solo are Blulukan Colomadu Field and UNS Field.
"Inshallah (if God wills), these repairs and renovations can be completed in time, because on November 10, 2023, the U-17 World Cup event begins," Hadimuljono said.
The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has allocated around Rp100 billion (around US$6.57 million) for the repairs and renovations of stadiums that will be used for supporting the U-17 World Cup implementation.
On the same occasion, chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, noted that there are only 93 days left until the start of the U-17 World Cup.
"Because the preparation is short and there are also things that need to be agreed on, be it in funding, logistics, and others, we want it to be as efficient as possible," he said.
FIFA will discuss a proposal from Indonesia regarding the four main venues, namely the Jakarta International Stadium (Jakarta), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Manahan Stadium (Solo), and Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya).
Thohir further said that a big team from FIFA will visit Indonesia on August 26.
"This big team will make decisions, and of course, we, as the host, have to make accelerations," he added.
He further said that Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo has called for accelerating the issuance of a presidential instruction and a presidential decree on the U-17 World Cup implementation.
Related news: U-17 World Cup: PSSI gets FIFA nod for four venues
Related news: Solo to host 2023 U-17 World Cup semi-finals and finals: PSSI
Related news: Jokowi, Shin discuss progress, future plans of U-20 football team
Translator: Aji Cakti, Raka AdjiEditor: Azis Kurmala Copyright © ANTARA 2023
