Bhinneka fans put pressure on players

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Sports teams expect support from their home fans, but sometimes this support can result in disaster.

Just such a seeming contradiction occurred in the fifth series of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league here last weekend, when host Bhinneka Sritex fell to Surabaya-based Pacific Bank Swadesi 80-89.

The result was quite a shock considering Bhinneka finished fifth in the league last year, while Pacific struggled to an seventh place finish. And the trend continued this year, with Bhinneka winning 10 of their first 13 games, while Pacific has again failed to find its form, winning just four of its games.

Based on these numbers, Bhinneka would have been expected to romp to an easy win in front of their home crowd. Unfortunately, the pressure of the local fans' expectations resulted in a tense Bhinneka team that failed to play its best basketball in its loss to Pacific.

Bhinneka coach Hartono told The Jakarta Post that in certain circumstances, the support of local fans could boomerang on a team.

"I think our players were nervous because Pacific led from the opening whistle. At the end of the first half we were trailing 34-36. The fans' hope to witness a victory became a tremendous pressure for the players, causing them to be error-prone," he said.

However, the support of a raucous home crowd does not always result in such disastrous consequences.

Bhinneka managed to beat Panasia Indosyntec two days later thanks to their fanatical fans, who put the pressure on the visitors.

Panasia forward Saut Lambok Johnson nearly lost his temper when hundreds of Bhinneka fans began to shout "burn the bus, burn the bus".

The situation worked to the advantage of Bhinneka, which was able to control the game and secure a victory.

Panasia coach Dedy Kuskanto could not hide his shock at the behavior of the Bhinneka supporters, saying his team could have won if the crowd did not "terrorize" his players.

Fanatical supporters in all sports have been known to cause trouble, particularly during soccer games.

They have damaged public facilities, including stadium seats, public phones and lampposts, and have even gone so far as to burn cars belonging to rival fans.

Officials and community figures have called for an end to such violence, suggesting sports clubs set up fans club. These fans club could arrange fan activities during games and arrange transportation and accommodation for fans who follow their teams to away games. Such fan clubs also could involve fans in outside activities such as coaching clinics and social activities. It is hoped this would cool the tempers of the country's sports fanatics. (44)