Jakarta, Oct. 23 -- Sports events such as football, as a form of sport tourism, could help promote Indonesian tourism, Tourism Ministry Acting Deputy for Event Organizer Development Hafiz Agung Rifai said.

Rifai said football is a universal language that unites people regardless of nationality, culture and belief.

Rifai said Indonesia's population is "more than 270 million, and most of them love football very much" at a press conference for "OGFC Legends Manchester United 2008 vs Persija Legends" on Friday.

Sport tourism is one of the ministry's main programs because sports unite people and stir emotions, and people travel for those emotions, he said.

"They fly across oceans to watch a match, stay for several days, taste the food, and...