Erick Thohir: 2032 Olympic Can be Held in Jakarta and West Java
16 November 2018 07:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Erick Thohir mentions two regions in the country are qualified to host the 2032 Olympics. The two regions, Jakarta and West Java, can be options should the country is selected to host the world`s most prestigious multi-sports event.
“The main problem of hosting multi-sports event is a football match. Jakarta is impossible to build an additional football stadium. Thus, Jakarta needs support from West Java and Banten,” said Erick after attending a book launching event of “Turbulensi Sports di Indonesia” in Jakarta, Thursday, November 16.
The head of the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) said calculations on the travel distance of Olympics athletes and officials also become a consideration for the region as the host.
Read: KOI to Promote House of Indonesia in Tokyo 2020 Olympics
“We have promoted the use of public transportation during the 2018 Asian Games. The people too will be encouraged to utilize public transportation after MRT trains in Jakarta starts operational, besides well-paved sidewalks. Airports in West Java are also ready,” Erick explained concerning connectivity of public transportation in Jakarta and surrounding areas.
The football club owner of Satria Muda Pertamina said Indonesia must earlier prepare itself, in order to able to host the Olympics, starting 2019 by forming a preparation team.
“The team must be established after the general election. The year of 2024 is near because we will compete with other countries to become the host,” said Erick, referring to South Korea and North Korea that are already preparing themselves to be the host of 2032 Olympics.
Erick further touches on the budget that requires a four-time budget of the Asian Games` budget. “If the government in 2029 or 2030 do not prepare the budget, it is better for Indonesia not to be the host because the country will be humiliated as it is not ready,” he noted.
However, Erick supports Indonesia as the host of the 2032 Olympics as announced officially by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to the president of International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach.
ANTARA
