Supports League Held, Doctor Tirta: People's Psychics Are Disturbed, Football Can Be A Healthy Immune

JAKARTA - Doctor and social media activist Tirta Mandira Hudhi supports the implementation of the Indonesian League 1 and 2 season 2021-2022. According to him, this competition can be a form of public entertainment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Currently, the people's psyche is disturbed, not in an ideal situation because of the excessive portion of news about the COVID-19 pandemic. People need entertainment because it can strengthen their immune system. Football broadcasts include entertainment," said Tirta, quoted by Antara from the webpage of PT. New Indonesian League (LIB) in Jakarta, Thursday.

However, the alumnus of Gadjah Mada University reminded that League 1 and 2 continue to apply health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Tirta gave an example of the smooth implementation of the 2021 Menpora Cup pre-season tournament without any cases of COVID-19 until the competition was over.

The man who is also a businessman is aware that the 2021 Menpora Cup leaves a story about violations in the form of crowds of supporters after the final.

Therefore, he asked LIB and PSSI to issue special regulations to prevent similar situations from recurring when League 1 and 2 took place.

"There is indeed a slight problem regarding the discipline of the supporters after the final. Now the focus is how PSSI and LIB ensure to the public that supporters or spectators do not come to the stadium and crowd. There must be strict rules. If there are still fans who come, the club will get severe punishment. " said Tirta.

LIB Director Akhmad Hadian Lukita supports Tirta's opinion that soccer can increase the body's immunity.

"We agree, watching football is immune. While we hope that the number of the COVID-19 pandemic will decrease, let's all commit to the plan for the League 1 and League 2 competitions. Don't come to the stadium, just support from home and don't crowd," said Akhmad Hadian.

The implementation of the Indonesian League 1 and 2, season 2021-2022, was postponed by PSSI and LIB in consideration of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.

The Indonesian government is also implementing the policy of the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali on 3-20 July 2021. Emergency PPKM does not allow activities that create crowds, including sports activities.

The Indonesian League 1 season 2021-2022 was previously scheduled to run from July 9, 2021, to March 2022. The plan is that this competition will be rolled out at the end of August 2021 or about a month after the Emergency PPKM is completed.

Meanwhile, League 2 2021, which schedule has not been set yet, is targeted to take place two weeks after the opening of League 1.