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Bali governor in spotlight over U-20 controversy
As Indonesia faces the possibility of losing its license to host the 2023 U-20 World Cup, it is Wayan Koster, governor of the free-spirited resort island Bali, who has been thrust into the spotlight.
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Bali Governor I Wayan Koster inspects a bottle of Arakbica, a brand of the Balinese spirit Arak. “He commends it for being unique,” the company's founder Wena Wahyudi said. (Courtesy of Twalen Spirit) (Courtesy of Twalen Spirit/Courtesy of Twalen Spirit)
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s Indonesia faces the possibility of losing its license to host the 2023 U-20 World Cup over calls to bar Israel from participating in the tournament, it is Wayan Koster, governor of the free-spirited resort island Bali, who has been thrust into the spotlight, not right-wing ideologues.
Gianyar, Bali, is one of the six cities set to host the tournament beginning on May 20, and the competition’s group-stage draw was supposed to take place in Denpasar on Friday.
However, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced on Sunday that FIFA had postponed the draw indefinitely, fueling a backlash against calls to block Israel from playing in Indonesia.
“[There is no] diplomatic relationship between the Indonesian government and the Israeli government. [...] We request the minister adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali,” Koster wrote in a letter to the Youth and Sports Ministry dated March 14 but made public on March 20.
Read also: Bali governor refuses to host Israel soccer team for upcoming FIFA U-20 CupSenior politician
The Bali governor is an old hand in Indonesian politics, with his membership in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) stretching back two decades. Koster was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 representing the Bali electoral district, where he served a total of three terms until 2018.
With the backing of the PDI-P, Hanura, the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) and the National Mandate Party (PAN), Koster entered the Bali gubernatorial race in 2018, defeating then-Denpasar mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra with 58 percent of the vote.
