Dear
Rivals,
I was
reading the match reports this week and it got me to thinking
a bit about our rivalries in the JIFL which subsequently and
quite naturally then centered on
DoIt Satu Lagi
(being in the top slot) and I realized that I don't give them
enough credit. After reading the match report, I noticed
how well organized they are. They know in minute detail
the results of every game, every season, for the last 15
years. They know who scored and who passed it to them.
In fact, they could probably publish a book based on their
match reports alone. It is very Germanic of them to keep
history preserved in such detail but then again
they are English by and large and ruled by the House of
Hanover,
Elizabeth II, and the closest relation in
Europe to the Englishmen is
after all the
Germans. 
Like
German
Plus
which is a club over 40 years
old in
Jakarta, this record
keeping is the mark of a true club who truly means it,
I'd say. But I digress. Perhaps if I step out as an outsider
I could eliminate that feeling of 'dislike' that goes with
thoughts of DoIt. But I can't help it. It is exactly the
same feeling that they have for the Wanderers. I tried to
imagine the league without one of these clubs and it
immediately loses its feeling of urgency and excitement.
It is in
human nature to take sides: To support one idea, object,
group, or etc. over another. To join one group at the expense
of another is normal social behavior. We do so everyday when
we choose one brand over another. We have favorites.
Preferences. And there is nothing wrong with that. The
problem comes when we view different brands, names, people or
groups in the incorrect category. It is important for us to
understand what the word 'rivalry' means. For example, here in
Jakarta, and Indonesia by extension, we have only one single
professionally trained youth soccer organization - the Arsenal
Soccer Schools running under the auspices of
SSI (Soccer Schools Indonesia). The
problem is that many parents think that to send their children
to learn at SSI Arsenal is to send them to their rival club.
They think that if they are a Chelsea or a Manchester United
fan then they should avoid all other teams or clubs. That is
missing the point.
Seek out
knowledge and training while it is available wherever it is
available regardless of the name. If Arsenal is the only game
in town with proper coaching at the moment then embrace it.
Take advantage of the expertise now while your children are in
the infantile stages of learning the game of football. Learn
it right the first time and you will never need to relearn
it. Once it is learned then it needs only be refreshed and
reminded on occasion. In the case of SSI there is no need for
rivalry. It is what it is. It is a soccer school of
learning. While with our league, we are accustomed to
choosing sides where it is an expected thing to do.
So you see
DoIt Satu Lagi, the Wanderers, JIS (and their plastic field);
they are all necessary components of what makes this league
relevant. My 'dislike' of them is a healthy thing. Yet
rivalries are needed. April is going to be a very important
month in the life of the JIFL. Nothing replaces a derby
match. And this Saturday is the day where DoIt could seal
their chances of a league title in the biggest derby of the
season. By beating the Wanderers, (assuming DoIt continue
undefeated in their remaining few matches), they will only
need a draw against the
Vikings to
take the main trophy this season. Many of the new members
have never experienced the satisfaction of a JIFL championship
trophy. This could be their first time. As well, it is the
day where they could blow it wide open, by losing, they will
either pry open the lid of the jar for the Wanderers to slip
back in the title race or they will virtually give the league
to the Vikings who are as of yet still undefeated this
season.
Contact your
nearest TicketMaster outlet to book your tickets now.
By Saturday morning, the BIS stadium is expected to be sold
out. In addition, there will be a late kickoff at 16:15 PM in
honour of the ISCI flood victims from last week. Our thoughts
and condolences go out to the villages nearby which were so
adversely affected by the sudden collapse of the dam
last Friday morning.
As always, I
wish you
All the Best
and I will next see you
Live on the Pitches,
Your Hero
