Sports Not Only about Achievements

KOMPAS/Adrian Fajriansyah

The Indonesian contingent takes part in the parade during the closing ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Wednesday (11/12/2019) at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, the Philippines. Indonesia ranked fourth overall with 72 gold medals, 84 silver medals and 111 bronze medals, outperforming its fifth-place ranking at the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia with Two 38 golds, 63 silvers and 90 bronzes.

NEW CLARK CITY, KOMPAS — After almost two weeks, the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games closed at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in the Philippines on Wednesday (11/12/2019). The 30th SEA Games taught us that sports was not only about hunting for achievements. More importantly, it is about upholding sportsmanship and humanity, other than strengthening the bond of Southeast Asian countries.

Among the most heroic moments regarding sportsmanship was seen when Filipino surfer Roger Casugay set aside the competition and his personal ego in the semifinals of the men’s longboard at La Union on Friday (6/12). In the middle of the competition, Casugay decided to save his Indonesian competitor Arip Nurhidayat, who was about to drown amid towering waves after his ankle leash broke.

Casugay immediately paddled to Arif and they surfed back to shore on one board. Casugay then won in a rematch and he surfed his way to a gold medal. Arip and another Indonesian surfer Dean Permana won bronze.

Thanks to his heroic act, Casugay won the Fair Play award from the Philippines 2019 SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc). It was one of four special awards handed out at this year’s SEA Games. Two special awards were each given to Singaporean male swimmer Quah Zhenh Wen and Vietnamese female swimmer Nguyen Thi Ahn Vien as best male and female athletes, respectively, after each collected six golds and two silvers. The Philippines won the best team award after becoming the overall champion with 149 golds, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes.

KOMPAS/Adrian Fajriansyah

Indonesian champion hurdler Emilia Nova on Sunday (9/12/2019) at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, the Philippines.

Phisgoc chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said Casugay had proven that humanitarianism and togetherness were always above achievements. “What Roger did inspired all of us. This is not only about gold but also about humanitarian values and togetherness. We may celebrate our golds, silvers or bronzes. However, celebrating togetherness is more important, like the 2019 SEA Games’ motto of “We Win as One,” he said.

Previously, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo also expressed his appreciation for Casugay’s sportsmanship. “Winning competitions are important and sportsmanship must also be upheld. However, humanity is above all,” the President said on his official Twitter account not long after Casugay’s heroic act went viral.

The 2019 SEA Games closing ceremony was held at New Clark City Athletics Stadium. Through Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, the organizing committee distributed 10,000 free tickets to locals, out of the stadium’s capacity of 20,000 people. Locals had flocked to the stadium since midday.

The closing ceremony was opened with a Filipino traditional dance and a choir performance. After athletes from 11 participating countries entered the stadium, the audience was entertained by a performance by American hip hop group Black Eyed Peas, which has a Filipino-American member, Allan Pineda Lindo. The ceremony was closed with a fireworks display.

Indonesian contingent chief Harry Warganegara said that, despite problems, the 2019 SEA Games was organized smoothly and games were held on time.

Indonesian contingent chief Harry Warganegara said that, despite problems, the 2019 SEA Games was organized smoothly and games were held on time. “If there are problems, that is normal. It is understandable in a multisport event,” he said.

In this year’s SEA Games, Indonesia finished in fourth place with 72 golds, 84 silvers and 111 bronzes. This was better than the medal haul in the Malaysia 2017 SEA Games, in which Indonesia finished in fifth with 38 golds, 63 silvers and 90 bronzes.