Kanjuruhan Stadium Will Rebuild Based on FIFA Standards

VIVA English – In a meeting with the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, President Joko Widodo stated that the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java would be torn down and rebuild based on Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) standards.

"FIFA appreciates that the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang will be torn down and rebuild based on FIFA standards," Joko Widodo said on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

According to President Joko Widodo, the rebuilding of the Kanjuruhan Stadium will implement more adequate facilities. The new Kanjuruhan Stadium will later become an example of a stadium in Indonesia with facilities that ensure the safety of spectators, players, and supporters.

"For example, standard stadiums with good facilities ensure the safety of spectators and players as well as for supporters," President Joko Widodo added.

Jokowi said the budget for the rebuilding of the Kanjuruhan Stadium would be borne by the central government.

The meeting between President Jokowi and Gianni Infantino resulted in an agreement between the two parties to jointly transform football in Indonesia. It was done as a follow-up to the sad tragedy that killed 132 people after the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, on October 1, 2022.

Joko Widodo and Infantino also discussed various aspects of football, such as stadium management, soccer match security management, match management, and supporter management.

In addition, Jokowi stated that FIFA would also invest in many things, such as assisting the implementation of safety standards in football administration, coaching supporters, building stadiums, and developing soccer schools in Indonesia.

"President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino said that FIFA wants to invest a lot in Indonesia, in matters relating to stadiums, safety, supporters, football schools in Indonesia," President Joko Widodo remarked.

To support the transformation of football in Indonesia, FIFA will set up an office in Indonesia. The Indonesian government is committed to immediately setting up the FIFA office.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir.