Efforts To Reconcile Bonek And Aremania Will Not Be As Easy As Revolving Handtacks

Illustration of supporters. (Photo via Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto)

JAKARTA Bonek frontman Hamin Prastian or known as Hamin Gymbal assessed that efforts to reconcile Persebaya and Arema FC supporters were not as easy as turning the palm of the hand.

According to him, rivalry has been rooted because it has happened for a long time. For that, an extraordinary effort is needed.

"From me personally, I don't think I will be able to. There will definitely be a ball later, it will be noisy again. We will prove it in the field," said Hamin when contacted by VOI.

"With this incident we continue to reconcile, it is not easy. Moreover, Bonek and Aremania have rooted into a bit difficult," he continued.

Efforts to reconcile Bonek (Persebaya supporters) with Aremania ( Arema supporters) began following the tragedy of Kanjuruhan earlier this month. The tragedy has claimed 132 lives.

Efforts were made, including the communication of Persebaya's shareholder representative Azrul Ananda with Arema President Gilang Widya Permana. In addition, dialogues also began to be built between fellow supporters.

Aremania figure Anto Beret, for example, once claimed to have contacted Bonek Mania's frontman, Andie Peci, regarding the peaceful effort.

Hamin said that the peace between the two supporters would certainly reduce the aura of rivalry in football. According to him, rivalry still has a positive side if directed properly.

"This rivalry has a positive and negative side. Positively playing in Malang will definitely boom, in Surabaya it will definitely boom too," he said.

"It can benefit traders. If there is no rivalry, hostility like that, then it must be bargaining. It's not art," he said.

Hamin continued, to prevent casualties in matches that are thick with rivalry, the competition organizers should tighten the security side and improve governance.

"So the rivalry here is healthy competition. If it is peaceful, the aura of rivalry is lost. All supporters in Indonesia have rivals. For example, Persija and Persib, Persikam and Persiba Balikpapan, Jogja and Solo," he added.

The Kanjuruhan tragedy is considered one of the most violent tragedys in the history of international football. This incident made PSSI and its ranks massively urged to resign from office as a form of responsibility.

The number of casualties that fell made league competitions at the national level still postponed until now. The league plans to roll again between November 25 and 26 after the transformation of football is carried out.