... we hope this problem to be solved soon."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Roy Suryo will facilitate a mediation between supporters of football club Persija of Jakarta and Persib of Bandung on July 15.
"Yes. We will be facilitating the mediation between those two clubs` supporters when we hold `iftar` in the youth affairs and sports ministry office," Roy said here on Monday.
The two clubs` rival hooligans are respectively called Jakmania for the supporters of Persija Jakarta, while the fans of Persib Bandung are called as Viking and Bobotoh.
The ministry also will the clubs` management members to join the iftar (fast breaking) dinner. The minister previously organized meetings with them.
"The first step was to communicate with clubs` managements. I met Mr. Umuh (Persib`s Manager), Farhan (Persib`s Director of Marketing and Promotion) etc. I also met with the representatives from Persija such as Mr. Ferry Paulus (CEO and Manager) and the respected figures of Jakmania," he added.
The minister said in attempt to facilitate the reconciliation his ministry also invited Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan.
"In the spirit of Ramadhan (the Fasting month), we hope this problem to be solved soon. Do not let this kind of problem to create more victims," the minister said.
The minister called for law enforcement against football supporters violating laws and regulations. He also asked the football governing body, PSSI, to impose disciplinary sanctions against parties being involved in rioting hooligans.
"Of course there is no guarantee for the mediation (to succeed), only both clubs` hooligans could guarantee," he added.
The rivalry fans were involved in a brawl prior to a football match between the two clubs on June 22, 2013. The match was postponed until August 28 due to the incident.
(Reporting by Bayu Kuncahyo/Uu.G006/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
