Shocking result

The deadly ending of the soccer match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, in which reportedly 129 people died is so painful (“Riot, stampede at Indonesia soccer match kill 129,” Oct.2, Gulf Today website).

It’s so unfortunate when fun activities turn into miseries. Soccer is one of the most-loved sports activities people love to watch and support their favourite teams.

Panic at an Indonesian soccer match on Saturday left 129 dead, most of whom were trampled to death after police fired tear gas to dispel riots, making it one of the deadliest sports events in the world.

The soccer game is the most popular sport activity around the world. People religiously love the game and support their favourite teams, but the fun turns violent when supporters of the losing team refuse to accept the defeat and start agitation.

According to the report, riots broke out after the game ended on Saturday evening with host Arema FC of East Java’s Malang city losing to Persebaya of Surabaya 3-2. Disappointed after their team’s loss, thousands of supporters of Arema, known as “Aremania,” reacted by throwing bottles and other objects at players and soccer officials. Fans flooded the Kanjuruhan Stadium pitch in protest and demanded that Arema management explain why, after 23 years of undefeated home games, this match ended in a loss, witnesses said. More than 300 were rushed to nearby hospitals to treat injuries but many died on the way and during treatment, Afinta said.

The world is crazy about soccer. But, it’s a rule of the game that one team has to win and the other has to lose so it’s so important to realise the rules of the game and accept the result at the end of the match. I am sure no team wants to lose purposely and let down their supporters.

The beautiful sport activity, soccer, spreads love and joy among a huge number of people and brings happiness to the countries, so people should take soccer matches as fun and enjoy it rather than protesting against defeat and turning the fun activity into a painful event.

Shah Shahabuddin Khurram,
By email