Tragically, Persipura Disbanded Because Of The Financial Crisis

Persipura (Instagram @ persipurapapua1963)

JAKARTA - Persipura Jayapura disbanded. The financial condition that has been hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for clubs to pay the salaries of players, coaches and all officials.

The withdrawal of Bank Papua as the main sponsor made the general chairman of Persipura Benhur Tomi Mano forced to stop team activities because they could no longer bear the burden of the salaries of players, coaches, and officials.

"We are very sorry for this situation, even though we have the opportunity to compete in the AFC Cup 2021. Because it is impossible for us to force the team to run without paying the salaries of players, coaches and officials," said Tomi Mano in his official statement on Thursday.

Benhur said that initially Boaz Solossa and his friends were confident about looking at the 2020 AFC Cup even though there was a polemic due to PSSI who did not understand the rules because Bank Papua still had the remaining contract payments of IDR 5 billion.

Initially, the funds would be used by the team for preparation including the salaries of the players, but the board of directors of Bank Papua then wrote to Persipura's management that they would not pay the remaining sponsorship contract.

Benhur regretted the attitude of the Bank Papua board of directors who suddenly gave the news, even though Bank Papua said from the start that the club would look for other options in finding funds for club operations.

"With this Bank Papua letter, it means that we no longer have a source of funds for activities, and we all know how the economy has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that our financial capacity has also decreased, moreover there is an obligation to continue to pay salaries of all team personnel," Tomi.

The financial crisis experienced by this has made all team activities stop and management cannot guarantee how long the team will be reunited. That way, Persipura became the second club after Madura United to stop their activities.

"Until when (team activities are stopped)? Until we get clear and definite sponsorship support," concluded Tom.

Persipura's journey in the 2021 AFC Cup begins in the play-offs. They will hold the match next May. That way, the management must immediately find more sponsors to be able to appear at the event.