PSM needs Rp 6 billion to renovate Mattoangin Stadium

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): PSM Makassar, which is hoping to host the Champions League East Asia zone quarterfinals, will have to spend Rp 6 billion (US$631,600) to renovate the Mattoangin Stadium if it wants to win the bid.

"We'll be spending about Rp 2.1 billion in the first phase of the renovation," said local organizing committee chairman Ilham Arief Siradjuddin, adding that the club received the funds from the Makassar authorities.

About 1,000 workers have been hired to complete the renovation of the stadium before the deadline.

In the first phase, the club will improve the field's grass, stadium seats, players' changing rooms, lounge and lighting system as these were specifically requested by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

"I think we would have no problems at all. Our team is working on it," Ilham told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

PSM will be competing with Jubilo Iwata of Japan, Samsung Suwon of South Korea and Shandong of China to win the bid.

"We will try to fulfill all the conditions made by AFC when they visited us two weeks ago," Ilham said.

The renovation of the 25,000-seat stadium is scheduled to be completed before the quarterfinals, which is slated from March 21 to March 23.

The biggest problem faced by the club is meeting the request from Star TV, which is the TV rights holder, for a lighting system for broadcasting the matches.

"We are having problems obtaining the lights. We are now looking for them abroad," Ilham said.

PSM Makassar chairman HM Amiruddin Maula is optimistic that the stadium's renovation will be completed in time as required by AFC, which will inspect the stadium's facilities for a second time.

"The AFC representatives have met with the organizers and we are sure we can fulfill all their requirements," he said.

Amiruddin, who is also Makassar mayor, said he hoped the club would become the host as it would bring lots of benefit to the city.

"If PSM becomes the host, we would be able to attract foreign tourists to the city. We can also start a soccer mania in the country."

He said the club was jointly working with the local authorities and multinational companies in South Sulawesi.

"The governor has also pledged to help us." (27)