Medan City Government Denies Promise to Fund Accommodation for AFF U-19 Participants

The Medan City Government has denied ever promising to fund the accommodation for participants of the AFF U-19 tournament. “From the time PSSI arrived from February to March, until the month of May, there was no commitment other than to renovate Teladan Stadium. Our responsibility is to improve Teladan Stadium,” stated the Mayor of Medan, Rico Waas, in Medan, as reported by detikSumut on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

On 24 May 2026, he noted, PSSI sent a letter to the Medan City Government requesting financial support for accommodation. However, according to Rico, this could not be fulfilled. “By 24 May, a letter was issued by the organisation (PSSI) requesting support from the Medan City Government for said accommodation, which we understand cannot be implemented under current regulations. Therefore, we forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek guidance and input on how to proceed,” he explained.

The NasDem politician stated that funding the participants’ accommodation is impossible because the 2026 Medan City Regional Budget (APBD) has already been ratified. “As everyone understands, every cent spent by the government must go through the APBD draft. That letter arrived on 24 May, just one week before the AFF tournament,” he said.

Rico admitted he could not meet PSSI’s request as he must ensure the Medan City Budget is managed with transparency and accountability. “I want to convey that every cent of the APBD managed by the Medan City Government belongs to the people, and I must be accountable and transparent. I do not want this to lead to misuse or even corrupt practices. Therefore, it must be understood how the Medan City Government can legally bear such costs,” he concluded.

Previously, rumours circulated that several participants of the ASEAN Boys Championship 2026 from various countries were forced to check out early because hotel payments had not been settled. “We are disappointed because the Medan City Government has shown no commitment regarding the accommodation for the participating AFF nations. It is a pity for the young players who are here to build their mental strength, as they are being troubled by hotel payment issues,” said the Organising Committee of the ASEAN Boys Championship, Muhammad Fauzi, via a social media post seen on Tuesday (2/6/2026).