By: Barra Dwi Rajendra )*
Very high appreciation should be given to Indonesia as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Because this nation is very determined to be a good host by properly hosting all guests from various countries, including Israel’s arrival at the event as well completely undifferentiated and still well served.
Exactly from 30 May to 11 June 2023, the U-20 World Cup will take place. Regarding this matter, the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir stated that Indonesia as the host had a contract with FIFA to be able to continue to guarantee the safety of every U-20 World Cup participant.
He added that many other things had also been discussed with FIFA, including the need for logistics, security, other operations that might really need to be repaired.
Then, Erick Thohir revealed that all the efforts made by PSSI under his leadership to make Indonesia a good host for the U-20 World Cup really needed the full support of every element of society.
Furthermore, regarding the presence of teams that will play in the event, the PPSI Ketum emphasized that indeed each country cannot see at all, whether they have a certain background or certain conflicts to certain sensitive issues because all of them are not related to sports, especially in the world of football.
Indeed, there is already a host contract, which contains that the host country, such as Indonesia as the host for the upcoming 2023 U-20 World Cup, must be able to guarantee the arrival of anyone who wants to play in that country, whether it’s in the context of the Olympics. or the basketball world championship, or any championship.
Erick Thohir again added that if Indonesia, as the host of the U-20 World Cup, cannot take a position, guarantee and secure the event as the host, then it is possible that Indonesia will no longer be given the opportunity to host other international events. .
He reiterated that as the host, Indonesia is obliged to accept anyone as a participant in the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Because if this is not done, the face of the country itself will be tarnished.
However, from a football perspective, every country is obliged to guarantee who will play in the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
Indonesia’s future target, according to the man who also serves as Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), is to be able to bid on the Olympics in 2036, then even up to the World Cup in 2034.
By having this target, according to him, if even to host the U-20 World Cup, Indonesia is still not capable of optimally, then of course these other big targets will become increasingly difficult to fulfill. Erick Thohir then advised that one should not embarrass oneself in front of the world before actually making good improvements. So it is indeed an obligation to be able to serve all the guests present.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of PSSI, Yunus Nusi, said that the World Football Federation (FIFA) appreciated Indonesia’s preparations to host the 2023 U-20 World Cup. These preparations included a review of the stadiums that would become the venue.
Yunus also thanked the government for willing to cooperate well in supporting the process of preparing Indonesia as the host. Thanks to the support of various parties, Indonesia’s preparations as the host went smoothly.
All administrative documents have been submitted by Indonesia since 2020. Although there was a delay in holding the competition due to a FIFA Council meeting in December 2020 which postponed the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For information, Indonesia was actually appointed as the host in 2021. However, the 2021 U-20 World Cup was canceled due to the pandemic and Indonesia was still chosen as the host but was shifted to 2023. The U-20 World Cup is planned to be held in six cities, namely Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Surabaya, Palembang and Gianyar.
Being the host of the U-20 World Cup, indeed Indonesia is determined to be able to give the best of anything and be a host who is able to serve all guests from various countries who are present in the country. Even the state of Israel though. This certainly deserves to be highly appreciated and given full support.
)* The author is a contributor to Media Satu