It’s unquestionable that Indonesia will not hold soccer competition in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic must end soon so that we can hold soccer events in 2021.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Bahana Patria Gupta
The Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali (left) took the first kick in the Persebaya Surabaya match against Persik Kediri at the opening of Shopee Liga 1 2020 at the Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (29/2/2020). After three weeks, Liga 1 was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s unquestionable that Indonesia will not hold soccer competition in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic must end soon so that we can hold soccer events in 2021.
The cancellation of the national soccer competitions, League 1 and League 2, was confirmed after the National Police stated again that they would not issue permits (for mass gatherings). "The National Police will not issue permits [for soccer matches]," said head of the National Police Public Relations Division Insp. Gen. Argo Yuwono.
The decision was based on the high number of Covid-19 cases, and the simultaneous regional elections that will be held on 9 December 2020. In fact, 18 soccer clubs contesting in League 1 have stated the clubs agreed that the competition would start running on 1 November. "The [domestic] competition is continued so that the national team can compete in the 2021 U-20 World Cup," reads the statement (Kompas, 11/10/2020).
What else can we do? The stakeholders in the national soccer, be they the players, coaches, advisers, executives at the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) as the national soccer federation, or PT Liga Indonesia Baru, must understand this reality. Obviously it is bitter, very bitter even.
There are at least two factors that make this reality so bitter. First, the federation and clubs have made efforts to allow competition by continuing activities in the clubs (trainings and friendly matches).
Second, negotiations as part of preparations for the league competition are being worked out. One of them was getting the approval of the head of the Covid-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo regarding the organization of the soccer and basketball leagues. However, if you look at the stance of the National Police, it seems this will not change. The year 2020 unquestionably will be without competition. We already know it only a few months into this year.
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya City, East Java, is currently in the process of renovation, Friday (18/9/2020). Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium is one of the six stadiums for the 2021 U-20 World Cup. The renovation is targeted for completion by the end of this December.
PSSI and PT Liga Indonesia Baru should work immediately to find a solution and help the soccer clubs survive so that they are able to continue supporting their players. Understandably, because the league is canceled, there will be no matches, so the players do not receive a salary. Even if they are paid, the amount is small.
Such solution would help make the clubs ready to compete in early 2021, or at least in mid-2021, depending on when the pandemic ended. If now there is no solution to help the clubs stay alive, they might collapse before the end of the year and it would reduce the number of contestants in the league next year.
PSSI also needs to start mobilizing energy and concentration for the U-20 World Cup next year. This championship is also a nation\'s stake, in addition to MotoGP motorbike racing at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara.
The U-20 World Cup, which will be held in six cities: Palembang, Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Surabaya and Gianyar, will be participated in by 24 teams, including Indonesia. Organizing this event will prove whether RI is successful in being a good host, as well as a contestant with good achievements. Successful achievements, as well as successful organization, at least like the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
Instead of lamenting over a league that definitely will not be held in 2020, the energy and concentration should be used to find solutions, while optimizing preparations for the 2021 event.
