AFC gives Persib quarterfinals<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Persib Bandung says it has the support of the
\nAsian Football Confederation for its bid to host the Champions
\nCup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
An official of Bandung-based Persib, Dwi Koernianto, said
\nyesterday that AFC Secretary-General Peter Velappan had confirmed
\nAFC's willingness to allow Bandung to stage the Group East
\nquarterfinals at the Siliwangi stadium.<\/p>\n
"AFC only required us to improve facilities at the stadium,"
\nKoernianto said.<\/p>\n
He said Velappan would send envoys to the West Java capital
\nonce again on Monday to re-inspect the facilities.<\/p>\n
AFC named Persib last week the host of the Group East
\nquarterfinals, scheduled from Nov. 26 to 30. But it selected
\nJakarta's Senayan stadium instead of the Siliwangi stadium as the
\nvenue for the robin matches, after hearing a report from its
\nenvoys.<\/p>\n
The envoys, R.I. Indran and N.V. Mould, visited Bandung last
\nweek and did not recommended Bandung for hosting the competition
\nbecause neither the turf on the playing field, nor the players'
\nlocker rooms in the 25,000-seat stadium met international
\nstandards.<\/p>\n
Persib reacted by handing over the organization of the matches
\nto the All-Indonesia Football Association.<\/p>\n
"Mr. Velappan was surprised when he heard of our furious
\nresponse," Koernianto said.<\/p>\n
The upgrading project of the stadium, which is owned by the
\nWest Java military command, started yesterday. No less than 30
\nemployees of the Bandung Public Works Office were seen
\nreconstructing the stadium's drainage system. Other workers
\nfocused on mending the bald field.<\/p>\n
Koernianto said that project will include the construction of
\ntwo new locker rooms, a press center and a secretariat office
\nwhich will be provided with telephones and facsimile machines.<\/p>\n
"We believe we can complete the project on time," Koernianto
\nsaid. He refused to disclose how much the project would cost
\nPersib. (pet\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/afc-gives-persib-quarterfinals-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}