PROGRES.ID – The 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup is getting closer to its kickoff date, and the organizers in Surabaya are diligently preparing for the security and comfort of the spectators who will witness the opening ceremony of this tournament.
This international youth football tournament for players under the age of 17 will commence on November 10, 2023, at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) in Surabaya and will run until December 2.
The local government has mobilized a total of 3,393 personnel from the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to ensure security during the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the City of Heroes. They will be tasked with safeguarding various crucial locations during the tournament.
The Head of the Operations Bureau (Karo Ops) of the East Java Regional Police (Polda Jawa Timur), Police Commissioner Puji Santosa, revealed that the personnel assigned to secure the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Surabaya are part of Operation Aman Bacuya (Badak Cula Cahaya) 2023. They began their operations on November 1.
“Contestant teams have started arriving. We are now focused on ensuring their security and preparing for the opening ceremony,” Puji Santosa said in Surabaya, as stated in a release by the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
Puji Santosa explained that the personnel’s duties have been divided to secure the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. They will be responsible for security at the airport, along the travel routes, and at the hotels where the teams will be staying.
“For the security arrangement, because the President will attend, we are coordinating with the TNI with a one, two, and three-ring security zone pattern,” Puji Santosa stated.
Furthermore, they will also maintain security at training locations on several fields such as Thor Field, Tambaksari Field (Gelora 10 November), and the ABC GBT field. Security will be focused on areas considered prone to disturbances, especially in places where people gather.
“In addition, we will provide security at the training locations on Thor Field, Tambaksari Field (Gelora 10 November), and the ABC GBT field. We will also focus on areas where disturbances are likely to occur, especially in places where people gather,” he added, as reported by detik.com.
The tight security is deemed necessary as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, will be present at the match between the Indonesian national team and Ecuador at GBT, which coincides with Heroes’ Day. The opening ceremony will also feature several prominent local artists.
The 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup is deeply felt in the spirit of Surabaya, particularly because the Indonesian U-17 national team will compete in this city. They will compete in Group A alongside Ecuador, Panama, and Morocco. GBT Stadium will also serve as the venue for two Round of 16 matches on November 21, 2023.
In addition, to ensure the comfort of spectators during the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Surabaya, the Surabaya City Transportation Department has prepared 110 shuttle buses.
The city government has also anticipated restrictions on private vehicles heading to GBT by providing free transportation to the stadium in the West Surabaya area. These shuttle buses will operate at six stopping points, including City Hall, Joyoboyo Intermodal Terminal (TIJ), Tambak Osowilangun Terminal (TOW), Benowo Terminal, the Tandes motor vehicle testing center, and Ciputra World.
