President Prabowo Targets Indonesia to Enter World Cup

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS - President Prabowo Subianto is determined to lead Indonesia to compete in the prestigious World Cup by building a robust ecosystem for national football. His efforts include improving sports facilities by targeting each regency to have at least one international-standard stadium.

The desire was expressed by the President during the inauguration of 17 stadiums that had recently been renovated and constructed across the archipelago. The inauguration ceremony was centered at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo on Monday (17/3/2025).

"I have committed, I will support our national football. Brothers and sisters, Indonesia must qualify for the World Cup. That is our determination," said Prabowo.

According to Prabowo, the success in constructing 17 international-standard stadiums has sparked the desire to add 17-20 more stadiums to be built or renovated. The President aims for every regency to have at least one international-standard stadium.

His party is optimistic that the target can be achieved, enabling amateur clubs to be encouraged to produce outstanding football players. Similarly, schools are targeted to have quality sports fields.

Also present at the event were the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the Chairman of PSSI who is also the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir, the Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo, and the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.

In addition, the Minister of Youth and Sports Nandhito Ariotedjo, Deputy Minister of Sports Taufik Hidayat, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and Sidoarjo Regent Subandi.

A number of national football legends are also not left behind. They are Fachri Husaeni, Widodo Cahyono Putro, Uston Nawawi, Ahmad Bustomi, Anang Makruf, and Arief Suyono. Also from the women's national team are Ayunda Dwi Anggraini, Viny Silfianus, and Reva Oktaviani.

The seventeen stadiums that were inaugurated by the President were the Gelora Delta Stadium, the Surajaya Stadium in Lamongan, the Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium in Gresik, the Kanjuruan Stadium in Malang, the Gelora Madura Ratu Stadium in Pamelingan in Pamekasan, and the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang.

In addition, there are the Indomilk Arena Stadium in Tangerang, the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, the Wibawa Mukti Stadium in Bekasi, the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium, the Maguwoharjo Stadium in Sleman, the Jatigiri Stadium in Semarang, the Gelora Bumi Kartini Stadium in Jepara. There are also the Demang Lehman Stadium in Banjar, the Segiri Stadium in Samarinda and the BJ Habibie Stadium in Pare-pare.

The stadium is of international standard and has been inspected by the world football federation or FIFA. Prabowo considered the success of building an international standard stadium an achievement for the government.

On that occasion, the President also said that football has become a symbol of the dignity of a modern nation. A strong nation is a nation that is strong in body and soul. Because, only with a strong soul and body can the nation stand tall, compete with other nations, and become a great country.

"Therefore, sports are one of the benchmarks or criteria to assess whether a nation has spirit or not, has will or not, or gives up easily," said Prabowo.

The President added that it is not only rich nations that have great football. Many nations in Africa have become champions even though their countries are poor. They also do not have a good football field like the one at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo.

Those nations are much poorer than the Indonesian nation. However, their determination and spirit are not willing to lose. That is what must be a lesson for the Indonesian nation.

Prabowo thanked all parties who have raised the spirit of the nation's young generation. The government has proven that it wants to encourage and foster soccer.

It will also be continued with various efforts such as concentrating and being creative in finding policies that can encourage great achievements. The President also asked all elements to support these efforts.

A strong nation is a nation that is strong in body and soul. Because, only with a strong soul and body can the nation stand tall, compete with other nations, and become a great country.

So far, there has also been good cooperation between the government or executive and parliament. Prabowo claims that his party has currently improved the regulations that need to be improved and facilitated PSSI's efforts to form a strong National Team.

Erick Thohir said the inauguration of 17 stadiums is not only symbolic of the inauguration of sports facilities but also how to build national character through football. Indonesia must dare to dream of breaking into the World Cup.

"Of course this desire must be accompanied by hard work, great will because it is fitting that we become a great nation like the nations in the world. Today is our day to build a football ecosystem," said Erick.

Meanwhile, Khofifah said, of the 17 stadiums inaugurated, four of them are in East Java. According to her, the inauguration is not only about infrastructure but also investment in building a more competitive sports ecosystem.

"We hope that these stadiums will produce more high-achieving athletes who will bring honor to the name of East Java and Indonesia on the world stage," said Khofifah.

Sidoarjo Regent Subandi hopes that along with the presence of international standard facilities, the community's enthusiasm in achieving achievements in the world of football will increase. Moreover, President Prabowo Subianto is very enthusiastic about helping national football.

The football ecosystem in Sidoarjo is growing rapidly. This is indicated by the large number of sports fields. Each sub-district has an average of 4-6 football fields, although the facilities are not yet of international standard.

"Football clubs are also growing in Sidoarjo. This indicates a positive response from the community to the development of sports, especially football," said Subandi.