Sports Minister Resigns to Focus on PSSI
Jakarta. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali has submitted his resignation to the president after he was elected as deputy chairman of the Indonesian Football Association, or PSSI.
His new job came ahead of the U-20 World Cup which will become the first FIFA tournament ever hosted by Indonesia and Zainudin said he and newly-elected PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir are determined to make the historic event a success.
"FIFA representatives will be here from March 21-27 to check our preparations. According to the plan, the event will be held in six cities namely Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Surabaya, Palembang, and Bali until further notice from FIFA,” Zainudin said in Jakarta on Thursday, referring to the world football governing body.
“I and Chairman Erick will inspect [the stadiums] in person and communicate with the regional governments," he added.
The U-20 World Cup will run from May 20 - June 11.
Zainudin said regional governments play a key role to convince FIFA that they can handle an international tournament safely.
He said FIFA has the authority to determine venues for the tournament and the number of host cities.
“So I call on our friends in the provincial and city governments to speed up the preparations including stadiums and training venues," he said.
Read More:
- Erick Thohir Leads Local Committee for U20 World Cup
- Sports Minister Backs Down on Resignation Remarks
- Erick Thohir Elected PSSI Chairman ahead of U-20 World Cup
While awaiting the president’s response to his resignation, Zainudin asked the future successor to continue with the works on the National Sports Grand Design which aims to boost the country’s achievement in global sports competition.
Led by Vice President Maruf Amin, the team for the sports achievement program comprises ministers, governors, regents, and mayors across the country, he said.
Zainudin also reminded that Indonesia will participate in regional multi-sports events SEA Games in Cambodia and Asian Games in China this year, before heading to Paris for the Olympics next year.
"Qualifications for the 2024 Paris Olympics already began so we have a lot of work to do,” he said.
President Joko Widodo, an open football fan, is expected to accept Zainudin’s resignation.
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