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Anies promises to build FIFA-standard soccer pitches in Maluku
Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan promises to build soccer pitches that meet FIFA standards in Maluku with the aim of nurturing talents in the region.
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Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan talks to his supporters during a campaign event in Ambon, Maluku, on Jan. 15, 2024. Anies promised to build soccer pitches and hold regular competitions in Maluku to help nurture local talent. (Antara/AMIN National Team)
Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has promised to build soccer pitches conforming to FIFA standards in Maluku while campaigning in Ambon, the provincial capital.
The former Jakarta governor said these FIFA-standard soccer pitches would help nurture soccer talent in Maluku, enabling young talent to grow into exceptional players who bring pride to both Maluku and Indonesia.
He also talked about the deep-rooted culture of soccer in Maluku, particularly in Ambon, and how it united the local society.
Anies cited the movie Lights from the East, which tells the story of a soccer team made up of players who united various opposing groups in society.
"We will construct FIFA-standard soccer pitches in kampungs. The grass on these fields will meet FIFA standards, so please do not alter it," Anies said, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Anies affirmed that these soccer pitches would be free to use, ensuring accessibility for children from low-income families.
He said the motivation behind his plan was that currently, only children from middle-to-upper-income families had access to FIFA-standard soccer pitches.
