Many Lessons Learned

The cancellation of the U-20 World Cup competition in Indonesia should not make us feel disappointed. There are still lessons to be learned, including how we prepare aiming to host another FIFA event, the U-17 World Cup.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

A number of workers carried out various preparations for the U-20 World Cup event, at the Manahan Stadium, Surakarta City, Central Java, Monday (21/3/2023) before FIFA canceled Indonesia as the host.

SURAKARTA, KOMPAS — Despite the disappointment, a number of parties are trying to learn lessons from the cancellation of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. For example, the stadiums that have been renovated will be prepared for other purposes, including in anticipation of Indonesia being appointed as a replacement host for the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

Unwilling to be in disappointment for long, Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, chose to learn the lessons from FIFA’s decision to revoke Indonesia's rights of hosting the U-20 World Cup this year. He said, at the very least, the city's football club, Persis Solo, would return to its "home," the Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, whose renovation is almost complete.

“We are now focusing on Persis Solo. Exactly how to perform well again. We encourage [Persis] to be able to play again at Manahan Stadium," said Gibran when met at the Surakarta City Hall complex, on Thursday (30/3/2023).

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Previously, Persis was forced to hold a home game at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta. This was done because Manahan Stadium was being renovated at the end of December 2022 to comply with FIFA standards. Manahan is one of six stadiums in the country originally prepared for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

Gibran added that the ongoing renovation at the stadium would be completed according to the contract. He believes that the renovations that have been carried out will not be in vain. The reason, he said, was that the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) general chairman Erick Thohir had prepared a number of backup plans to replace the U-20 World Cup.

The budget is quite big. We even shifted the budget to support this event [U-20 World Cup].

The main budget for the restoration of the stadium renovation came from the Public Works and Housing Ministry. However, the Surakarta City Administration has also allocated a number of funds for the purposes of beautifying the stadium area and adding supporting facilities. When asked about the budget, Gibran was reluctant to mention the amount.

“The budget is quite big. We even shifted the budget to support this event [U-20 World Cup]. But, it's okay because it's our commitment. We have signed [an agreement as an organiser]. So, if we have to shift the budget and add to the budget, I don't think it's a problem," said Gibran.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

K worker paints the fence of the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium Complex, Gianyar, Wednesday (29/3/2023. There are five stadiums in Bali, which were prepared for the U-20 World Cup, including the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, but FIFA decided to cancel Indonesia as host.

Met separately, head of the Surakarta City Youth and Sports Office, Rini Kusumandari, said the renovation of Manahan is targeted to be completed on 1 April 2023. The final work is improving 2,000 square meters outside the stadium area by adding asphalt. In addition, they are perfecting the grass. They are waiting for the lawn-mowing machine, which is planned to arrive next week.

In Bandung, Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna also expressed his commitment to oversee the renovation of the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium to completion, even though he was disappointed that the U-20 World Cup was cancelled. According to Dadang, the cancellation was a motivation to build better national football.

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"We still respect FIFA's decisions because [they] have the authority," he said in Bandung.

Even though the U-20 World Cup didn't take place, preparations for the U-20 World Cup have at least left a "legacy" in the form of six international standard stadiums in the country. The Provincial Administration of South Sumatra has spent Rp 30 billion for the renovation of Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium over the last three years. The renovation was then taken over by the Public Works and Housing Ministry with a budget ceiling of Rp 155.1 billion. "This stadium can be used for the development of regional or national football," said head of the Housing and Settlement Area Office of South Sumatra province, Basyaruddin Akhmad.

Interestingly, the polemic and cancellation of the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia increased sales of souvenirs for the event. The public is curious about collecting souvenirs produced by Juaraga, holder of the official souvenir license for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

Hunting for souvenirs

According to the General Manager of Marketing, Juaraga Darmawan, since Thursday morning (30/3), many have asked about the products he produced. However, he could not confirm the percentage of increase in buyers’ demands.

"We must continue to support micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) products. If possible, everything must be sold to boost the country's economy as well," said Deslatnyo, one of the buyers, who collects U-20 World Cup souvenirs.

We are currently focusing on the issue of [FIFA] sanctions.

Indonesia's dream of holding a FIFA event has not been completely broken. Indonesia has a chance to replace Peru as host of the U-17 World Cup in November-December 2023. A number of Peruvian local media reported that preparations for the event in their country were progressing slowly. A number of stadiums have not been renovated. Quoted by Depor, Peruvians urged that the budget be focused on dealing with the impact of the recent landslide disaster.

Arya Sinulingga, a member of the PSSI Executive Committee, cannot confirm Indonesia's chances of hosting the U-17 World Cup. "We are currently focusing on the issue of [FIFA] sanctions," he said. (NCA/RTG/RAM/BRO/Z09)

This article was translated by Kurnia Siswo.