Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono confirmed that there were no plans on renovating Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) before the U-20 World Cup to be hosted in 2023.

“There are no renovations for GBK. Those that exist are for other stadiums and not for GBK,” the minister stated at the Presidential Palace area here on Monday.

Hadimuljono said the ministry had only planned renovations for other stadiums that were also used for the 2023 U-20 World Cup, such as Palembang’s Jakabaring Stadium, Bandung District’s Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Surakarta’s Manahan Stadium, and Bali’s Wayan Dipta Stadium.

“Oh, no. There is no program (for the GBK renovation). That is for others,” he noted.

The ministry has begun renovations of some stadiums that would be used for the U-20 World Cup, he remarked.

“Yes, except later, if there is an aftermath from yesterday (Jokowi Nusantara Bersatu volunteer event) then yes, maybe (GBK). However, so far, we have surveyed those outside (the city), those being Jakabaring, Manahan, Wayan Dipta, Jalak Harupat. GBK has none,” he stated.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup will be hosted in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11, 2023. Originally planned for 2021, FIFA was compelled to cancel the event on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, Indonesia still has the right to host the U-20 World Cup in 2023.

Some 24 teams from six confederations will participate in this event. There are six host cities for the tournament: Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, Manahan Stadium in Solo, Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, Kapten I Wayan Stadium Dipta in Gianyar, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.

Source: Antara News