Wimbo Satwiko

Garuda Flexi’s Mario Wuysang, left, takes on Pelita Jaya defender Kelly Purwanto during their charity match in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday. (Photo: Yudhi Sukma Wijaya, JG)

Indonesian Basketballers Shoot Hoops For Quake Victims

After witnessing the devastation from the earthquake in West Sumatra last month, Indonesian Basketball League clubs and players were not exempt from being moved to action.

Pelita Jaya Esia and Garuda Flexi Bandung did their part on Thursday, holding a charity game at Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall to raise funds for the victims. The exhibition, which Pelita won 66-60 in front of 1,433 fans, raised just over Rp 100 million ($10,500).

“This was the best we could do to help our brothers and sisters in West Sumatra,” Pelita’s Kelly Purwanto said after the match. “I’m glad that I could do something, as an athlete, to help those in need. That really means a lot to me.”

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck West Sumatra on Sept. 30, with more than 1,000 people killed and more than 135,000 homes destroyed. Padang, the provincial capital, suffered estimated losses of Rp 6.5 trillion, and the city saw nearly 1,200 classrooms destroyed.

Esia, Pelita’s sponsor, organized the game. Admission was free, though there were several boxes in which fans could leave donations.

In addition, organizers auctioned off basketball memorabilia. Garuda star Denny Sumargo, who didn’t play because of a foot injury, sold his signature shoes for Rp 2 million, while Kelly’s jersey was sold for Rp 6 million.

The most expensive item was a basketball with all the Pelita Jaya players’ signatures, which sold for Rp 30 million to Ardiansyah Bakrie.

All of the donations from the exhibition will be handled by Bakrie Untuk Negeri (Bakrie For the Nation), a philanthropic arm of the Bakrie group. The clubs and players have no plans to visit the disaster area in person at this point.

Garuda manager Simon Pasaribu thanked Pelita for the invitation to take part in the game and said the West Java club planned to hold another charity match in Bandung.

“We’re still finding the right time for that charity game. We’ll announce the details of that match later on,” Simon said.

Both of the clubs played good basketball, giving the fans a thrilling game to watch. The match was also a chance for the players to regain a bit of sharpness before the new Indonesian Basketball League season begins. The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) has plans for a February tip-off.

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