Stadium apart from GBK will be designated for 2023 U-17 World Cup: Jokowi

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: A stadium apart from Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium will be designated as arena for 2023 U-17 World Cup, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated while affirming that it is not the only stadium in Indonesia.

FIFA’s 2023 U-17 World Cup will be hosted from November 10 to December 2, 2023, with the schedule coinciding with Coldplay’s concert on November 15, 2023, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta.

“A solution would be searched. Our stadiums are not limited to GBK. There are others, right, such as JIS (Jakarta International Stadium). There is Manahan. There is Jalakharupat. So many. There is one in Surabaya, Bung Tomo Stadium. Many of our stadiums are ready (to host the event),” the head of state noted after reviewing Palmerah Market here on Monday.

President Jokowi stated that FIFA has entrusted Indonesia as host of the U-17 World Cup.

Jokowi spoke of having given directives to Head of the National Football Association Erick Thohir to thoroughly prepare for the grand event.

He stressed that several stadiums across Indonesia can serve as options to host the competition.

“As for the venue, indeed, there are some which we have renovated some time ago, which means that it is ready to be used. However, the management and everything (related to it) must be thoroughly prepared,” he elaborated.

Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated that Solo City is ready to be appointed to host the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

“Solo is ready because Manahan Stadium has been prepared for the U-20 World Cup in 2023. Hence, all the facilities have met FIFA’s standards, although (the competition) was cancelled,” the mayor noted in Solo on Saturday, June 24.

Head of the National Football Association Erick Thohir also affirmed during his work visit to Solo’s Manahan Stadium in Central Java that the stadium, appointed as one of the arenas for the U-20 World Cup event, is well-prepared.

FIFA appointed Indonesia as the U-17 World Cup host, as mentioned in its official release on Friday, June 23. The decision came after the FIFA Council Meeting at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.