Do Not Mix Sports and Politics

In response to the controversy over Israel’s participation in the 2023 U-20 football World Cup in Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asked all parties to refrain from mixing sports and politics.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo gave a statement regarding the U-20 World Cup on Tuesday, 28 March 2023, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked all parties to refrain from mixing sports and political affairs in response to the controversy over Israel’s participation in the 2023 U-20 football World Cup in Indonesia. The President stressed that he concurred with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, who said that FIFA had regulations that must be adhered to.

“So, don’t mix sports and politics. At this moment, FIFA is aware of the opposition toward the Israeli national team’s participation in the U-20 World Cup. However, the government and PSSI [Indonesian Football Association] are still doing their best to find a solution,” said President Jokowi at the State Palace on Tuesday (28/3/2023).

For this reason, Jokowi sent PSSI chairman Erick Thohir to meet with FIFA to find the best solution to this problem.

President Jokowi insists that the Israeli national team’s participation is unrelated to Indonesia’s foreign policy toward Palestine. “Because our support for Palestine will always be solid and strong,” said Jokowi.

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Jokowi explained that Indonesia was the host for the U-20 World Cup after winning the bid. After a long selection process, there were three final candidates, namely Brazil, Indonesia and Peru.

“At the time, each party worked hard to have Indonesia host the U-20 World Cup. Finally, in October 2019, Indonesia was appointed to host the U-20 World Cup by FIFA,” he added.

It is a great honor for Indonesia to host the tournament. “Because we are entrusted with holding the U-20 World Cup. Organizing a sporting event with the most fans around the world,” said President Jokowi.

We are also trying to come up with options so that the matches can proceed.

Erick is scheduled to meet with FIFA officials in Switzerland on Wednesday (29/3/2023). The meeting is expected to provide a solution to the problem and at the same time guarantee that the U-20 World Cup will still be hosted by Indonesia.

Acting Youth and Sports Minister Muhadjir Effendy hopes that coordination with FIFA will run smoothly and that Indonesia will continue to host the tournament. His office is still searching for common ground as many people have differing opinions.

“We are also trying to come up with options so that the matches can proceed. However, we won’t convey these yet as they are still in the works. FIFA has made several offers but there has been no agreement yet because it is still too early,” said Muhadjir in a working meeting between the ministry and House of Representatives Commission X, which oversees education, youth affairs, sports, tourism, the creative economy, art and culture.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Indonesian national team defender Jordi Amat (center) celebrates his goal against Burundi in the FIFA Match Day match at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java, Tuesday (28/3/2023). Indonesia drew 2-2.

Hope persists

Meanwhile, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno emphasized that the U-20 World Cup was one of Indonesia’s leading efforts to develop sports tourism.

“We really hope that Indonesia will continue to host the [U-20] World Cup and we hope it will contribute to economic recovery,” said Sandiaga.

Sandiaga is optimistic that the U-20 World Cup will still be held in Indonesia as the country has had successful experience in holding international events, such as the Group of 20 Summit last year.

Several regional heads have also expressed this hope. South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru hopes that the U-20 World Cup will still be held in Indonesia.

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This grand event is seen as an opportunity to boost the regional economy, especially when Palembang is one region ready to welcome the tournament.

“The [U-20] World Cup will serve as a stimulus to accelerate economic growth in the regions,” said Herman, who is still awaiting the central government’s decision.

Herman hopes that Indonesia still has a chance of hosting the tournament as FIFA representatives are inspecting the stadiums that will host the matches, including the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang.

Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka also concurred. If the tournament is canceled, all the preparations that have already been made will be in vain.

“For me, I am committed to what was signed in the agreement [between the host city, central government and FIFA]. If it [the Israeli team’s participation] was such an issue, then they should have protested long ago. Why only now? If you don’t want Indonesia to be the host, then we shouldn’t be the host,” said Gibran in Surakarta, Central Java.

If you want to help the people of Palestine, Indonesia must strengthen its position by getting close to both parties

His commitments, Gibran explained, included arranging street vendors to ensure the safety of the participants, which includes receiving all the delegates without exception.

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil and Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi are currently awaiting the central government's decision regarding hosting the U-20 World Cup. If it is decided that the event will still be held in Indonesia, the supporting activities will proceed.

Separately, Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) chairman Jusuf Kalla is of the opinion that Indonesia should accept the presence of the Israeli national team at the U-20 World Cup. Israel’s presence could serve as an opportunity to grow closer to the nation and encourage dialogue on Palestine’s independence.

“If you want to help the people of Palestine, Indonesia must strengthen its position by getting close to both parties [mainly Israel], so we can push them forward to a fair negotiating table,” said Kalla. (WKM/INA/RAM/CHE/BRO/NCA/Z90)

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.