Indonesia being stripped of hosting U20 World Cup a blight on sports diplomacy
-
Loading... - Hani Rahman
- 31 Mar 2023
- 78 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
If hosting the U20 World Cup had been well played, Indonesia would have been remembered for allowing sports to transcend political beliefs
There is no room for politics in sports.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo made this clear when he welcomed the participation of Israel in the Under-20 World Cup, hosted by the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, despite the widespread protests at home.
Widodo stressed that hosting the Israeli junior football squad will not change its foreign policy with regard to the Jewish state.
However, some 24 hours after making that statement, FIFA stripped Indonesia of the right to host the junior tournament. A new host venue will be announced for the competition that starts on 20 May, 2023.
Muslim nations, including Indonesia, have largely been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, and many do not enjoy formal diplomatic ties with Israel.
Widodo and his supporters’ push for an ‘ideological shift’ – that sports and politics do not mix – could have created a precedent of sorts for other Muslim nations in the region and beyond, if the island nation had hosted the event.
Ironically, Bali Governor Wayan Koster was among those who had protested against Israel’s participation. Bali’s population is predominantly Hindu, which led to suggestions that Koster’s call was politically motivated, ahead of the national polls next year.
This is an unusual scenario, where the key decision makers in the country were willing to give sports diplomacy a chance, only to see opposition from those with different political beliefs. As a result, Indonesia scored an own goal and may suffer serious repercussions, including sanctions.
Neighbouring Malaysia, just like Indonesia, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. However, unlike the Indonesians, the Malaysian government was adamant in not allowing Israeli swimmers to take part in the 9th World Para Swimming Championships in 2019, in Kuching, Sarawak. Read More…
