No More Rivalities, All Brothers Football Supporters

Illustration - Hundreds of supporters in Medan lit 1,000 candles to pray together as a form of condolences for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The hostility between club supporters is often unclear at the root of the problem because it has been going on for generations and rooted in their children and grandchildren. Therefore, many derby matches often cause fears of chaos.

Aremania and Bonek (Persebaya) are one of the long-standing rivalities of supporters. In fact, the derby match between Arema FC as the host against Persebaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium when the tragedy occurred should not be attended by Bonek.

Ironically, the match, which Aremania actually only watched at the Kanjuruhan Stadium with a final score of 2-3 for Persebaya's victory, actually claimed many lives.

Even more sad, many children and women who died in the tragedy that occurred along with the commemoration of Pancasila's Day of Kesaktian, October 1.

The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection noted that at least 33 children aged 4-17 years died in the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.

"Thirty-three children died (over) eight girls and 25 boys, aged between four and 17 years," said Deputy for Special Child Protection at the Ministry of PPPA Nahar, quoted by Antara, Friday.

Can you imagine how many mothers from then on hated football because they had to lose their children? How many children are then traumatized, even to just play ball?

According to him, the tragedy of Kanjuruhan being a means of introspection for all parties, is no exception for supporters. Even now, it seems that they are also starting to feel uncomfortable with blind rivals to their private team.