President Prabowo Inaugurates 17 Football Stadiums Across Indonesia

TheIndonesia.co - President Prabowo Subianto recently marked a significant milestone for Indonesian sports by inaugurating 17 football stadiums across various regions of the country. The event took place at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium in East Java, where the President symbolically officiated the grand opening by pressing a button that activated the inauguration of all 17 facilities.

According to Antara News Agency, the stadiums, a mix of 16 renovated and one newly built, are a result of the government’s significant investment in sports infrastructure. Between 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Public Works allocated a budget of Rp1.74 trillion (approximately US$106.2 million) to ensure the successful completion of these projects, which will undoubtedly help elevate the standard of football in Indonesia.

The inauguration was carefully planned to coincide with President Prabowo’s visit to another major project: the opening of a metal smelter operated by PT Freeport Indonesia in Gresik, East Java. The timing underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s infrastructure both in sports and industrial sectors.

Among the notable stadiums inaugurated were the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang, South Sumatra, and the Indomilk Arena in Tangerang, Banten. Other regions benefiting from these upgrades include West Java, with several key stadiums such as Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, and Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium in Bandung. Additionally, stadiums in cities like Malang, Semarang, and Jepara also joined the list of improved facilities. The full list includes:

1. Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang City
2. Indomilk Arena Stadium in Tangerang District
3. Pakansari Stadium in Bogor District
4. Wibawa Mukti Stadium in Bekasi District
5. Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi District
6. Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium in Bandung City
7. Maguwoharjo Stadium in Sleman District
8. Jatidiri Stadium in Semarang City
9. Gelora Bumi Kartini Stadium in Jepara District
10. Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang District
11. Surajaya Stadium in Lamongan District
12. Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium in Sidoarjo District
13. Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan Stadium in Pamekasan District
14. Joko Samudro Stadium in Gresik District
15. Demang Lehman Stadium in Banjar District
16. Segiri Stadium in Samarinda City
17. B.J. Habibie Stadium in Parepare City

The inauguration ceremony saw several high-profile officials in attendance, including Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of State-owned Enterprises and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir, and Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo. The attendance of these key figures highlights the significance of the event, which is expected to boost the country’s sports sector and provide better opportunities for local and national football development.

This initiative reflects President Prabowo’s vision of strengthening Indonesia’s position in the global sports arena while simultaneously providing local communities with world-class infrastructure.