State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir (left) meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha on Oct. 5, 2022. (Courtesy of/Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI))
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s part of Indonesia’s 78th Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo presented on Monday honorary awards to 18 figures including the world governing body for soccer FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The President announced the decision on Monday and is expected to hand over the award in person to Infantino in November this year.
"Gianni Infantino could not make it here, so the award would be given later in November," President Jokowi told reporters after a ceremony at the State Palace on Monday.
Jokowi is scheduled to meet Infantino in November when the FIFA president inaugurates the Under-17 soccer tournament in the country.
Other figures who received the honorary award included First Lady Iriana, former tourism and creative economy minister Wishnutama Kusubandiyo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.
FIFA has announced that Indonesia will host the U-17 World Cup from Nov. 10 to Dec. 2 this year.
Indonesia won the rights to hold the U-17 World Cup after being removed as host of the Under-20 World Cup scheduled for July this year.
Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir has announced that the U-17 tournament would be held at the Jakarta International Stadium in Jakarta, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java, Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, and Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, East Java.
