PUPR Ministry, PSSI inspect GBT Stadium ahead of U-17 World Cup

Surabaya, Indonesianpost.com – Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) inspected Gelora Bung Tomo (GBT) Stadium in Surabaya on Thursday in preparation for the U-17 World Cup.

Head of the Surabaya Culture, Youth and Sports, and Tourism Office, Wiwiek Widayati, said that the ministry’s Director General for Human Settlements Diana Kusumastuti, and her team arrived at GBT Stadium on Thursday morning.

“They checked the field, the standard operating procedure (SOP), the press room, the media center, the parking area, and other places,” she informed.

After reviewing several facilities at GBT Stadium, the team confirmed that a number of improvements will be made at the stadium.

The improvements cover the dressing room, the access for the referee, and the stairs in front of the gate and include CCTV addition and the media stand’s renovation, among other things.

“The director general assured that her team will ensure the synthetic grass on the field is perfected,” Widayati said.

Later In the afternoon on Thursday, a team from the U-17 World Cup Local Organizing Committee (LOC) visited the stadium to inspect its facilities.

“They checked the indoor court at GBT and the entry and exit points for VIPs, as well as their seating. They also examined the routes for spectators and the media crew, including the press room and media center, the LOC office, and other areas,” Widayati said.

She added that in the coming weeks, many guests will visit GBT to assess the preparations for the World Cup.

They will provide recommendations to ensure the success of the World Cup, she added.

“Hopefully, these people will further enhance GBT. Nevertheless, we assure that the field is safe and complies with FIFA’s standards, making GBT ready to welcome the 2023 U-17 World Cup,” she said.