A Form Of Tolerance, Tokyo Verdy Conducts Research Before Primary Arhan Arrives: Food Must Be Halal

Tokyo Verdy player from Indonesia, Pratama Arhan. (Photo: Instagram @tokyo_verdy)

JAKARTA - Indonesian player, Pratama Arhan, has arrived in Japan and joined his new team, Tokyo Verdy. Not long ago, the club shared the first training moment for the former PSIS Semarang player.

Arhan Primary's presence in Japan is close to the moment of the month of Ramadan which will take place in April. Carrying out fasting in the Ginseng Country, had become a worry for Arhan.

Food is one thing that makes Arhan confused. However, this was already anticipated by Tokyo Verdy. They already know very well that Arhan is a Muslim player who will also undergo fasting.

As a form of responsibility, the club will guarantee all food intake for Arhan and ensure it is halal.

This was conveyed directly by the President of Tokyo Verdy, Noriaki Nakamura, during the meeting agenda with the Indonesian Ambassador and Pratama Arhan, Friday, March 25, Namakura even gave a message to the team's head chef regarding this.

"We have discussed Arhan's Primary (activities) during Ramadan, also about food. Because we understand (Arhan) Muslims, we have discussed with the head chef on the team so that Arhan can eat halal," said Nakamura on that occasion.

"We are very responsible for this," he added.

Nakamura is also aware that Arhan was initially worried about choosing halal food. Because it was called Nakamura not only experienced by Arhan, but also the majority of foreigners who came to Japan.

"I understand he (Arhan) is a bit stressed about food. That is also one of the problems for other foreigners who come to Japan. So we are trying to solve it, so don't worry," explained Namakura reassuringly.

In order to ensure the comfort of Primary Arhan who is a Muslim, Nakamura also revealed that the team had time to do some research before Arhan arrived. According to Nakamura, this is part of the club's tolerance for diversity.

"We also researched before Arhan joined, so he was comfortable. As a club we understand diversity and will ensure his comfort," said Nakamura.

Pratama Arhan officially signed a cooperation contract with Tokyo Verdy last January. But because he still had to take care of his departure documents, Arhan only arrived in Japan in mid-March.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, Arhan could not immediately join because the health protocols implemented required him to undergo quarantine first. The former PSIS Semarang player just had his first training with the team on Wednesday, March 23 yesterday and immediately mingled and received a warm welcome from his teammates.