His words are relevant even now, and have stood true in the past for newly born nations, such as Indonesia, which gained its independence in 1945.
In many aspects, sports not only unite people, but are vital to the never-ending process of nation-building.
There has been a strong relationship between sports and nation-building in Indonesia, with the country celebrating its monumental National Sports Day on September 9 every year.
However, before 1985, Indonesia did not celebrate National Sports Day, and it was only included in the calendar after former President Soeharto designated September 9 as National Sports Day through Presidential Decree No. 67 of 1985.
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The reason September 9 was chosen was that the first National Sports Week (PON) was held in Surakarta, Central Java, on the same date in 1948. It was the first-ever national-scale sports event to be held in Indonesia post its independence.
PON I was opened by the first Indonesian President Soekarno at 9 a.m. local time in Surakarta. However, the 1948 PON went beyond the spectrum of sports and became closely entwined with nationalism and nation-building efforts.
In fact, the first PON cannot be separated from efforts to preserve national independence and integrity.
Post-1945 was a decisive era, with Indonesia taking advantage of all media, platforms, and opportunities to introduce itself as an independent country to the world, and sports provided one way to do this.
The nation's initiatives to build its sports ecosystem began long before its independence from the Japanese occupation on August 17, 1945.
In fact, a number of nationwide sports organizations, including the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), were established before independence.
During the pre-independence era, Indonesia even held a Sportsweek in 1938.
Post-independence, the sports community saw progress, spurred by the 1946 Congress in Solo, where the Sports Association of the Republic of Indonesia (PORI) was founded.
PORI later became the coordinator of all sports in Indonesia and managed domestic sports activities.
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Glue uniting nation
Together with the Olympic Committee of the Republic of Indonesia (KORI), which was formed the same year, PORI prepared Indonesian athletes to participate in the 1948 London Olympics.
But Indonesia's efforts came to naught as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not recognize PORI considering that Indonesia's independence was not widely recognized globally at that time, including by the British government, which did not recognize Indonesian passports, thereby hindering Indonesian athletes from taking part in the international sporting event.
This rejection prompted Indonesia to hold an event similar to the Olympics, but at the national level, which was inspired by the 1938 Sportsweek and was called the National Sports Week (PON).
The PON sought to encapsulate the fundamental values of nation-building, especially unity, sovereignty, and nationalism.
Therefore, September 9 was not only deemed a milestone in national sports, but also a momentum for Indonesia to fight to maintain independence in the context of nation-building.
This year, the National Sports Day will be held in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. And even now, the event is considered a platform for reinforcing national identity.
The struggle for upholding national identity will not stop, especially for a diverse nation like Indonesia, which always needs a "glue" to stay united and act together to face the challenges of the times.
Accordingly, the theme of the 2022 National Sports Day is Bersama Mencetak Juara or “Let's Score Champions Together.”
According to the Youth and Sports Ministry, the theme is meant to encourage the spirit of continuing to realize the great ideals of the nation through the Grand Design of National Sports (DBON), which was signed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in 2021.
The 2022 National Sports Day will also underline the nation’s sporting achievements, its ideals, and togetherness.
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To realize “Let's Score Champions Together,” the country needs a spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and synergy, as victories cannot be achieved alone.
If traced more deeply, the determination to raise champions and make high achievements is the way for Indonesia to take the spotlight globally.
Since the first PON, sports have always had a special role in uniting the nation as they do not differentiate between people.
Further, athletes have become the most essential agents for cultivating and strengthening the values of nation-building.
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Translator: Jafar S, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
