President Jokowi Inaugurate Football National Training Center at Nusantara Capital

President Jokowi

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (09/22) held the groundbreaking of the National Training Center for football at Nusantara Capital (IKN), North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province.

“We already have many international standard stadiums but do not yet have a centralized, integrated training ground, so the national team keep changing places to train,” President Jokowi said.

According to the President, the center, which will be constructed on 34.5 hectares of land, will be equipped with eight football pitches and other supporting facilities such as dormitories. “I hope that when the players train here, they will feel at home,” he added.

President Jokowi further said that the center will also be an innovation core for the country’s football development which facilitates research and testing of the latest technology in the football.

“The National Training Center—if it is supported by good management, adequate facilities and infrastructure, as well as the massive love of the people for football—will bring the national team to the top at Southeast Asia and global level,” the President said.

On the occasion, the Head of State also expressed appreciation for the FIFA funding support of Rp85.6 billion.

“The Government also supports the construction, which has been approved by the Minister of Finance, with Rp95 billion. If it is not enough, we will be adding more. So that the construction of National Training Center for football can be completed soon,” he remarked. (GWH/LW)