Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Youth and Sports Minister, Dito Ariotedjo has welcomed Uruguay’s proposal to hold a friendly football match between the two national teams as part of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries in 2026.

“This is a great idea. Coordination with PSSI will be needed to determine the best format,” he said during a meeting with Uruguayan Ambassador Christina Gonzales in Jakarta on Monday (19/5/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The Minister suggested exploring the possibility of organizing the match as a FIFA Matchday event, which would help boost Indonesia’s FIFA ranking.

Beyond football, Uruguay also expressed openness to broader sports cooperation, including hosting Indonesian sports activities and events in Uruguay. Minister Dito highlighted pencak silat as a cultural sport Indonesia could promote globally—especially as it pushes for the martial art's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Ambassador Gonzales emphasized Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, as a current priority for Uruguay’s international sports collaborations. She recalled the 2007–2011 youth training program in Uruguay, which helped shape several Indonesian national players—an initiative both parties are open to reviving.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)