PON: In search of a better format

By Johannes Nugroho

SURABAYA (JP): The outbreak of the economic crisis two years ago appeared to mark the beginning of a succession of ruinous incidents against this nation and its identity. The past two years have seen nothing but further subjugation as well as humiliation of Indonesia on the international scale. Battered by financial scandals, human rights abuses as well as destitution, Indonesians would not have anything to celebrate as a nation if it had not been for the victorious badminton players in the Thomas Cup.

Sports, some people say, are the last bastion of chivalry. It is arguably the most condoned form of confrontation between countries, which in the end fosters nationalism. The most extreme typification of the jingoistic disposition of sports would have to be Hitler's Olympic Games in 1936.

Through the international games, the Fuhrer endeavored to affirm the supremacy of the Aryan-cum-Nordic race by their physical prowess. He was sorely disappointed when a black American athlete, Jesse Owens, was proclaimed gold medalist.

Down Under, Australians have been tempted to redesign their flag as they frequently fail to differentiate it from the New Zealand one at the Commonwealth Games. Numerous Australian republicans feel that the presence of the British Union Jack on both countries' flags undermines the sense of national identity.

On the national front, Surabaya is hosting the first ever National Games (PON) in the so-called reform era.

At first glance, one of the National Games' chief objectives, apart from celebrating sportsmanship, is to nurture the unity and understanding between divergent ethnic groups in the country. In light of the embryonic separatist movement of the recent years, the Games indeed serve as an opportunity for Indonesians to come together as a nation and celebrate. They also present an opportunity to soothe the maimed integrity of the nation.

However, the almost apologetic-sounding definition of the National Games, "a cesspool of athletes of disparate ethnic backgrounds from across the nation striving for excellence, competing for the greater glory of humanity" and somehow "united by the common bond of sportsmanship" is paradoxical.

How could an event which succors competitiveness in the name of the athletes' regional attachment strengthen the bond between people of different provinces? Would the medal tallies for all the provinces, splashed across the newspapers and TV screen daily, not foster a sentiment of regional pride?

Historically, the tallies for the Games since its inception in 1948 uncannily mimic the political and economic polarization within the republic. Under the so-called Old Order, the tallies were lacking in regularity when compared to the ones under Soeharto's regime.

The first National Games of September 1948 in Solo saw the emergence of the host city as the biggest medal collector with 16 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze, trailed by Yogyakarta with 11 gold, 9 silver and 3 bronze. In contrast, Jakarta ranked 10th -- outdone even by Malang at 7th -- with the modest 2 silver and 2 bronze.

In the political sphere, Sukarno-Hatta's government had to evacuate its administration in early 1946 from Jakarta to Yogyakarta due to the presence of Dutch troops in the capital. The following year also witnessed the formation of numerous "states" within the Republic of Federated States of Indonesia (RIS) provisions for which were arranged in the Linggarjati Agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands.

The second PON of 1953 in Jakarta, which had become the nation's capital again, found the province of West Java as winner with 21 gold and Jakarta as the runner-up with 17 gold. The next three PONs in Medan, Makassar and Bandung, respectively recorded three provinces alternately as the big three, namely West Java, Greater Jakarta and East Java.

Along with Soeharto's New Order, Indonesia's new "political and economic DNA" began to be mapped out. The new regime was Jakarta-centric and held very tight reins of centralized political power to the disadvantage of the provinces.

The concentration of the national wealth in Jakarta has produced a huge economic gap between the capital and the provinces. By the end of Soeharto's era 75 percent of all the funds in Indonesia were circulated in Jakarta with East Java coming second. The phenomenon has been reflected in the PON tallies since the 7th Games of 1969 in Surabaya, the first one under the New Order.

Results indicate that Jakarta probably has the best sports, medicinal facilities and human resources, hence ensuring its supremacy in the Games. The question is whether this needs to be flaunted through the results of PONs which arguably further inflames regional dissatisfaction as the tallies only proclaim the disproportionate distribution of national wealth.

The present collection of East Java medals far above that of Jakarta's seems to have finally reversed the trend of Jakarta victories.

However, in due course, a new format of National Games should necessarily by adopted to further enhance the reconciliatory nature of the incumbent administration. The most sensible way, albeit contentious, to lend more credibility to PON's sloganistic virtues would be to abolish province-based grouping for team sports such as soccer, basketball, etc.

Under a new system, all the provinces in Indonesia would send their team-sports athletes as they normally would, although well in advance of the Games, to a resort or compound designated for PON. Then by random selection, the athletes would be grouped together, preferably with others from different provinces. Instead of dubbing the teams as the Jakarta or East Javanese team, they would only be known by the name of their team.

By making athletes of different regions work together, the reformed PON would not only be the first one of its kind in the world but also be better qualified to encourage a sense of national reconciliation.

The athletes' acquaintance with their compatriots from other provinces would not be just the cursory brush on the field as it is under the present system. Instead the games would be a catalyst for the athletes to resolve and accept the differences between themselves for a common goal, true sportsmanship and excellence.

Nor would such arrangements deprive athletes of their regional identity and individuality, as individual athletes such as boxers, weightlifters, badminton players would still compete on an their own behalf as well as for their province.

Indonesia, if not for anything else, must strive to become a nation in which differences co-exist. Furthermore, as a nation, we are still in need of symbols and catalysts for the unity that we seek.

A reformed PON which does not celebrate the supremacy of certain parts of the country would be the perfect vehicle for a display of national togetherness. Internationally, it might even serve as an example to the world that competition is unlikely to bring about understanding between different races as the Olympic Games claim to accomplish.

The move towards such obliteration of regional pride is undoubtedly bold. Nonetheless, the proposal aspires to transform an institutionalized quadrennial national sports event into a more meaningful and harmony-forging celebration of differences through sports.

As a nation we must absolutely regard it as an opportunity for a leap from tribality to a higher consciousness as a nation.

The writer works at the international language program in Surabaya.