Papuan Athletes Fly Flag for Troubled Region
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2011/11/papuan-athletes-fly-flag-for-troubled.html
By firing his side into the Southeast Asian Games football final, Titus Bonai earned the adulation of all Indonesians, but his success perhaps resonated most in his troubled home region of Papua.
“Papuans call us to send their support — from the capital Jayapura even to the most remote parts,” the wildly popular striker, whose goals in Indonesia’s five games and Mohican hairstyle have catapulted him to fame, told AFP.
“So I think it means something to them to see Papuans playing in the national team.” Papuan athletes have starred in Indonesian colours at this year’s Games, with sport — for a brief moment at least — widening the focus from the violence and political unrest afflicting their region.
Papua region is split into Papua province and the smaller West Papua province. Jayapura is the capital of Papua province.
For decades, ethnic Papuans have rejected the region’s special autonomy status within Indonesia and poorly armed separatist groups have fought a low-level insurgency. Tribal and local leaders accuse the central government of robbing rich forests and mines, polluting water and land in the resource-rich province, and putting little back into one of the country’s poorest areas.
Rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch, say that Indonesian forces have killed civilians and imprisoned peaceful activists in an effort to quell the unrest. The region is off-limits to foreign journalists. The simmering problems have come back to boil in recent weeks.
Thousands of Papuans in Jayapura staged a protest earlier this month calling for a vote on self-determination — after which at least three people were found dead — while an ongoing strike over wages at a giant US-owned gold and copper mine has seen nine people die nearby.
“I’m not sure if sport can help Papua overcome its problems, but for now I’m going to focus on developing my talent to inspire others. That’s the part I can play,” Bonai said.
“Hopefully through football we can feel a sense of unity and respect.” Fellow Papuan Patrich Wanggai scored the first goal in Saturday’s semi-final against Vietnam, before Bonai’s deflected shot found the net to ensure the hosts’ footballers made the final in front of 90,000 delirious fans.
Bonai and co. face arch-rivals Malaysia in Monday night’s showdown, gifting deeply patriotic Indonesians the dream opportunity to revel in the demise of their nemesis. But they are far from the only Papuan success stories.
The 20-year-old Franklin Ramses Burumi took gold in both the headline 100-metre and 200-metre sprints, while Serafi Anelis Unani claimed the women’s 100-metre title. Papuan fighter Yolanda Asmuruf also secured a karate gold.
Burumi’s time of 10.37 seconds put him within range of the 10.17 secs record for the fastest man in Southeast Asia, set by Indonesian Suryo Agung Wibowo.
Indonesian media has responded enthusiastically to the Papuan factor, hailing it as a potential watershed in relations. And in spite of the recent upsurge in violence, fans have gathered at cafes and street food stalls in Jayapura to closely follow the fortunes of Indonesia’s footballers.
“Football is full of pride,” fan Fernando Fairyo said, watching the game with his family.
“This sport can help eliminate ethnic and political differences.” Indonesia midfielder Octavianus Maniani says that while football is “beyond politics”, the achievements of fellow Papuan players will be felt 3,800 kilometres (2,350 miles) away from Jakarta in his home area.
“I am a citizen of Indonesia so I feel honoured to play for the Indonesian team. We want to bring something positive to all Indonesians,” he said.
“But when Papuan children see Papuans playing on the team, they see a better Indonesia.”
“Papuans call us to send their support — from the capital Jayapura even to the most remote parts,” the wildly popular striker, whose goals in Indonesia’s five games and Mohican hairstyle have catapulted him to fame, told AFP.
“So I think it means something to them to see Papuans playing in the national team.” Papuan athletes have starred in Indonesian colours at this year’s Games, with sport — for a brief moment at least — widening the focus from the violence and political unrest afflicting their region.
Papua region is split into Papua province and the smaller West Papua province. Jayapura is the capital of Papua province.
For decades, ethnic Papuans have rejected the region’s special autonomy status within Indonesia and poorly armed separatist groups have fought a low-level insurgency. Tribal and local leaders accuse the central government of robbing rich forests and mines, polluting water and land in the resource-rich province, and putting little back into one of the country’s poorest areas.
Rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch, say that Indonesian forces have killed civilians and imprisoned peaceful activists in an effort to quell the unrest. The region is off-limits to foreign journalists. The simmering problems have come back to boil in recent weeks.
Thousands of Papuans in Jayapura staged a protest earlier this month calling for a vote on self-determination — after which at least three people were found dead — while an ongoing strike over wages at a giant US-owned gold and copper mine has seen nine people die nearby.
“I’m not sure if sport can help Papua overcome its problems, but for now I’m going to focus on developing my talent to inspire others. That’s the part I can play,” Bonai said.
“Hopefully through football we can feel a sense of unity and respect.” Fellow Papuan Patrich Wanggai scored the first goal in Saturday’s semi-final against Vietnam, before Bonai’s deflected shot found the net to ensure the hosts’ footballers made the final in front of 90,000 delirious fans.
Bonai and co. face arch-rivals Malaysia in Monday night’s showdown, gifting deeply patriotic Indonesians the dream opportunity to revel in the demise of their nemesis. But they are far from the only Papuan success stories.
The 20-year-old Franklin Ramses Burumi took gold in both the headline 100-metre and 200-metre sprints, while Serafi Anelis Unani claimed the women’s 100-metre title. Papuan fighter Yolanda Asmuruf also secured a karate gold.
Burumi’s time of 10.37 seconds put him within range of the 10.17 secs record for the fastest man in Southeast Asia, set by Indonesian Suryo Agung Wibowo.
Indonesian media has responded enthusiastically to the Papuan factor, hailing it as a potential watershed in relations. And in spite of the recent upsurge in violence, fans have gathered at cafes and street food stalls in Jayapura to closely follow the fortunes of Indonesia’s footballers.
“Football is full of pride,” fan Fernando Fairyo said, watching the game with his family.
“This sport can help eliminate ethnic and political differences.” Indonesia midfielder Octavianus Maniani says that while football is “beyond politics”, the achievements of fellow Papuan players will be felt 3,800 kilometres (2,350 miles) away from Jakarta in his home area.
“I am a citizen of Indonesia so I feel honoured to play for the Indonesian team. We want to bring something positive to all Indonesians,” he said.
“But when Papuan children see Papuans playing on the team, they see a better Indonesia.”
