Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Inspection at Student Athletics Championship Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, January 13, 2023

Reporter
How is the progress of the Stadium and when will it be finished, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Which one?

Reporter
The indoor stadium, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The Indoor Multifunction Stadium?

Reporter
Yes.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I have ordered to speed up the construction because we will use it for FIBA. We should be proud as this country will have an indoor arena with the capacity of 16,250 spectators. Besides basketball, we can also use it for futsal, badminton, volleyball, and music festival, music concert, as well as other performing arts. I think it is an achievement that will provide strong support, for both sports and performing arts.

Reporter
Mr. Jokowi, what is your target for FIBA 2023, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Please ask Mr. Erick about this later.

Reporter
What is your opinion about today’s race, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, I am very happy. PASI has done coaching at the lowest level, starting from the school level, madrasa-level, to join competitions in each region. From this stage, we can find potential talents. Which one is good? Oh, Banyuwangi, oh East Java, oh North Sumatra. Which one? PASI will only need to recruit and coach them intensively.

But a low level competition like this is very basic, as we know that athletic is the mother of all sports. Football without speed will lose, futsal requires athletics, long jump also needs athletics, everything has its basic form in athletics. Therefore, I highly appreciate what PASI has done, with the coaching at the lowest level, regional-level coaching, school-based coaching, madrasa-based coaching, they are excellent.

Reporter
What do you think about the children’s enthusiasm today, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, I am happy of course. Everybody supports their friends. I think it should be practiced not only in PASI, but also in all other sports branches starting from the lowest level, be it the community level, the sub-district level, or the village level, so there’s sports coaching everywhere.

(AY/MUR)