No Spectators Allowed for Liga 1, 2 Matches: Youth and Sports Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - No spectators will be allowed at any sports competition, including the 2021 Indonesian football league’s Liga 1 and Liga 2, despite the improved status of public activity restrictions (PPKM) in the islands of Java and Bali, stated Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali.

The policy was endorsed during a joint coordination meeting between several ministries, governors, mayors, and the heads of the districts that will host the 2021 Liga 2, he informed.

Amali said the decision to exclude spectators from the games was made in view of current conditions when the government is still struggling to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"We appreciate the government's efforts to suppress the virus spread to reduce daily cases. However, we are still being asked for sports activities to have no spectators," he explained at a virtual press conference on Saturday.

A similar policy will also apply to the Developmental Basketball League (DBL), which is planned to be held in 13 cities across different provinces of Indonesia, he said.

The policy will also extend to competitions in several main sports branches that will be announced in the near future, he added.

Competitions are expected to be announced for at least four sports, including rock climbing, squash, and badminton, the minister said.

A national championship will be organized for squash and rock climbing, he noted. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) is scheduled to hold four consecutive tournaments by the end of this year, namely the Indonesia Masters, Indonesia Open, BWF World Cup Finals, and the Indonesia International Challenge, he added.

"Meanwhile, they (Indonesia's sports organizations) will not have spectators at the venue, as well. It will add more work for the federation and the organizers of their respective competitions if they decide to go with spectators," Amali said.

He said he, however, could not confirm whether spectators would be allowed for the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) and Volleyball championship, Proliga 2022 season because the two competitions will commence in January next year.

“For basketball and the Proliga, they will start in January next year. We will see how the circumstances in the next year will be," he remarked.

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