PSM unsure of Mattoangin renovation

PSM unsure of Mattoangin renovation

JAKARTA (JP): PSM management has been in doubt about being
able to meet the deadline for renovating the Mattoangin Stadium
in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) will announce the host for the Asian Champions Cup next
week.

Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) spokesman, Eddi Elison,
said on Monday that only 55 percent of the facilities had been
renovated while PSM only had one week remaining before the
deadline.

Eddi said he had visited Makassar on Feb. 16 to see the
progress of renovation of PSM-based Mattoangin Stadium as
requested by AFC representatives during their visit on Jan. 14.

"They promised to return later this month to see if the
stadium is appropriate to host the Cup's quarterfinals," he said
as quoted by Antara.

AFC sent David Tully, Alex Soosay and Simpson Samson on Jan.
14 to supervise PSM's preparations in hosting the Cup, to be
staged from March 21 to March 25.

Based on AFC's inspection, the stadium needed a total
renovation of the field itself, lighting system, tribune seats
and players' lounge, including their changing rooms.

The lighting system, which was ordered from China, is
scheduled to arrive in Makassar on Feb. 26 and will be installed
several days later.

PSM technical advisor, Nurdin Halid, said PSM management has
reached 60 percent in its renovation works.

"I think with the remaining time, we can finish all required
works and PSM can become the Asian Champions Cup host," he was
quoted as saying by Antara.

PSSI head of foreign affairs commission, Wandi Batang Taris,
suggested if Mattoangin Stadium's renovation failed to meet the
required date, PSM could have asked AFC to use the Delta Stadium
in Sidoarjo, East Java, or Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central
Jakarta.

PSM will be pitched against Jubilo Iwata of Japan, Suwon
Samsung Bluewings of South Korea and Sandong Lumen Thaysan of
China for two places in the semifinals. (yan)