Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inspection of 1B Area of the Nusantara Capital, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, February 24, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

This is the football training center for the PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) and the National Team. There will be eight football pitches in this location. You should ask the PSSI’s Chair and the executive committee for more info.

Chair of PSSI (Erick Thohir)

Thank you, Mr. President. The executive committee and I would like to express deep appreciation for your decision to build a training center at the heart of this city. We ensure you that the development will be done as soon as possible since the budget has been prepared by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). We only need to work on land procurement. We will start the development soon. If it’s possible we are intend to invite coach Shin Tae-yong to visit this area.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Thus the football training center will be built by the PSSI and hopefully it can be completed within a year. The project will be fully funded by the FIFA. It reflects international trust, FIFA’s trust to the Nusantara Capital.

Following my order to Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to audit 22 football stadiums in Indonesia, we found that there are 22 stadiums that each has a capacity of 20,000 spectators are in high risk for the organization of League 1, League 2, and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Based on the audit and evaluation, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing declared that five stadiums are in severely damaged condition; four stadiums must be rehabilitated and one stadium must be dismantled. In addition, 13 stadiums which are in moderate damaged condition need renovation, while four stadiums that are slightly damaged need minor renovation. For Kanjuruhan Stadium, the redesigning process for total rehabilitation is underway. That’s all.

Reporter
Mr. President, regarding development of the Nusantara Capital in general, does it go according to your plan and expectation since you have inspected some of the development projects on the ground?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We have been planning. There are plans and designs. The implementation is underway. I always remind the related parties to bear in mind that the concept is eco-friendly.

Reporter
How was your night spent at the Nusantara Capital?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I had a good sleep. The air was clean and cold. 

(RAS/MMB)