Jokowi Targets Indonesia to Pass Preliminary Round of U-17 World Cup

Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave the U-17 national team its first target. He wants Indonesia to qualify from the preliminary round of the U-17 World Cup. 

"First, target to pass the preliminary round. Even better if Indonesian team can enter the final, and become a champion," President Widodo said at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung, on Wednesday.  

Currently, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is conducting a selection procession of U-17 players who will be trained directly by coach Bima Sakti. 

Special selection at Jalak Harupat, as many as 187 young Indonesian players participated in the selection process. Later, Bima Sakti will hold selections in nine other cities.

"I am happy to do the selection process in 10 cities. For today, I asked the Bima Sakti coach, there are 187 players who participated in the selection," the President added, he was also accompanied by Menpora Dito.

"I think this process must be appreciated by PSSI, which provides opportunities for our young people to participate in the U-17 World Cup." 

Si Jalak Harupat Stadium is one of the prospective venues for the 2023 U-17 World Cup. The stadium, located in Soreang, Bandung, had previously been proposed as one of the organizers of the 2023 U-20 World Cup.