Football Supporter Peace Seed Now Appearing

The Persebaya coach and player followed this joint prayer as a sign of humanity for the tragedy of Kanjuruhan at the Surabaya City Hall on Tuesday (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - A gray atmosphere suddenly enveloped Indonesian football when all newspapers on Sunday, October 2 morning reported the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.

Why not, the tragedy of Kanjuruhan claimed more than 100 lives. Initial data reported were 127 fatalities, then the results of re-identification became 125 people, and increased to 130 people.

Data on casualties was indeed confusing due to the conditions and situations that occurred at that time, considering the number of hospitals that accommodated victims. In fact, there were also victims who were immediately taken home.

Despite the difference in the number of victims data, there is no football that is comparable to human life. No more lives should be wasted because of football.

Not only Aremania, all supporters were devastated by the heartbreaking incident that occurred after the match between Arema FC versus Persebaya Surabaya, at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, last Saturday.

All supporters' organizations gathered to pray for the victims and their families left behind by the Kanjuruhan tragedy, the darkest tragedy in the history of Indonesian football.

Not only praying together, they also echoed the spirit of peace, as was done by thousands of supporters from various clubs throughout Java who gathered in the parking lot of the Mandala Krida Stadium, Yogyakarta, last October 4.

Launching Antara, the meeting of thousands of supporters began with a supernatural prayer, and a joint prayer for the victims of the Kanjuruhan tragedy, ending with the lighting of candles and the light of the device as a symbol of peace.

"We will make history that we supporters who are present at tonight will stop all the hatreds that exist in our hearts," said President Brajamusti Yogyakarta Muslich Burhanuddin during a speech.

Burhanuddin, who is often called Thole, asked all supporters to make the tragedy in Kanjuruhan a point of refusal to unite in advancing Indonesian football.

"We will pass positive things on to our children and grandchildren that in the future football in Indonesia, especially DIY and Central Java is full of joy," he said.

Supporters who attended included Brajamusti and The Maident (Yogyakarta), Paserbumi (Bantul), Slemania and BCS (Sleman), Pasoepati, Ultras, and GK Samber Kehidupan (Solo), Panser Biru and Snex (Semarang), Aremania (Malang), Bonek (Surabaya), The Jakmania (Jakarta), and Bobotoh and Viking (Bandung).

Also present were representatives of a number of supporting elements from Medan and Makassar who were both in solidarity over the tragedy of Kanjuruhan and voiced the echoing of peace.