To trick limited sports facilities and infrastructures in the capital city, Jakarta Provincial Government plans to utilize vacant land belongs to Indonesia Army (TNI) and the land located under State Electricity Company (PLN)’s high voltage tower. Later, sports venues will be built on those lands.

Starting next year, we’ll allocate budget to build sports venues on the lands belong to TNI and PLN

“Starting next year, we’ll allocate budget to build sports venues on the lands belong to TNI and PLN. It’s better to build sports venues than leaving those lands slum, or turn them into circuits if necessary. One thing for sure is that the City Council (DPRD) supports (this plan). If necessary, we use DPRD chairman as sponsor, because his hobby is racing,” uttered Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama during the bonus handover to city’s outstanding athletes and inauguration of Teen PON I athletes at City Hall, Thursday (11/20).

Moreover, Ahok explained that building sports venues is intended to raise sporting spirits among Jakartans and to create new athletes.

“And, it is also conducted to prepare the athletes in preparing themselves optimally in facing the 2018 Asian Games. As the host, we must prepare everything from now on,” he asserted.

Responding this, DPRD Chairman, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, admitted that he supports Jakarta Provincial Government’s program in building sports venues on vacant lands belong to TNI and PLN. Previously, such effort had been done by former Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin who built youth centers in the city.

“That (city administration’s plan) is positive, to build sports. Sports must be revived, so just build it. As capital city, Jakarta must have sports venues. We will make the budget in DPRD and find sponsors or look for CSR (to realize the plan),” he stated.

Meanwhile, Head of Central Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI), Tono Suratman, told that his party will immediately coordinate with TNI Headquarters to realize Jakarta Governor’s idea to built sports venues.

“We hope this step would be followed by other governors in Indonesia. We will immediately meet Chiefs Staff of Army (Kasad) and Navy (Kasal) as well as Jakarta Military Commander (Pangdam Jaya). Most of those lands are located in Cijantung and Cilandak. There is also a land belongs to District Military (Kodim) in North Jakarta which quite wide and not being used,” he said.