Solidariti Pestabola Merdeka
Pasukan Palestin terpaksa menarik diri daripada menyertai Pestabola Merdeka edisi ke-42 ekoran keadaan meruncing di negara berkenaan ketika ini. Dengan demikian, Pestabola Merdeka 2023 akan hanya disertai tiga pasukan – Malaysia, India dan Tajikistan.
Malaysia akan bertemu India pada 13 Oktober 2023. Tajikistan kini mendapat ‘bye’ dan akan langsung ke final untuk berjumpa pemenang perlawanan Malaysia dan India pada 17 Oktober 2023. Kedua-dua perlawanan akan berlangsung pada jam 9 malam di Stadium Nasional, Kuala Lumpur Sports City.
Pestabola Merdeka merupakan piala bola sepak tertua di benua Asia dan lahir daripada buah fikiran Tunku Abdul Rahman untuk menyambut hari kemerdekaan Malaya. Negara-negara tetangga, Burma (Myanmar), Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapura, Vietnam Selatan, Thailand dan Indonesia turut mengikuti edisi pertama bagi mengeratkan lagi tali persahabatan.
Dalam teks Bpk R. Maladi, Presiden Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia, yang ditulis dalam program Pestabola Merdeka 1957, beliau berkata:
“Sebagai bangsa yang telah mengalami derita dan hina masa penjajahan lebih dari tiga setengah abad dan yang telah melakukan perjuangan kemerdekaan yang penuh kesukaran dan pengorbanan, bangsa Indonesia mengetahui benar apa erti kemerdekaan dan kedaulatan bagi sesuatu bangsa. Maka kita dapat ikut merasakan apa yang terkandung dan bergelora di dalam jiwa dan perasaan saudara-saudara di Malaya pada saat yang bersejarah ini.”
Tunku Abdul Rahman menulis di dalam program Pestabola Merdeka 1958, “Saya selalu menekankan sukan dapat memainkan peranan untuk menyatupadukan masyarakat daripada pelbagai negara. Inilah contohnya.”
Sepak mula Pestabola Merdeka 2023 akan berlangsung 2 hari lagi. Sama-sama kita raikan kejohanan yang penuh bersejarah ini. Pada waktu yang sama kita doakan keamanan dan kesejahteran di bumi Palestin.
Selamat berjuang Harimau Malaya!
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Merdeka Tournament Solidarity
Palestine has withdrawn from participating in the 42nd edition of Merdeka Tournament due to the tense situation in the country at the moment. The 2023 Merdeka Tournament will carry on with the three remaining teams – Malaysia, India, and Tajikistan.
Malaysia will meet India on October 13, 2023. Tajikistan has been given a bye and will head directly to the finals, where they will meet the winner of the match of Malaysia v India, on October 17. Both matches will take place at 9:00 PM at the National Stadium, KL Sports City.
The Merdeka Tournament is the oldest football tournament in Asia. It was created by Tunku Abdul Rahman to celebrate Malaya’s independence. Neighbouring countries Burma (Myanmar), Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapore, South Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia joined Malaya in participating in the first edition in honour of strengthening the bonds between nations.
In the text written by R. Maladi, President of the Indonesian Football Association, for the 1957 Merdeka Tournament programme, he states:
“As a nation that has suffered and been humiliated during colonialism for more than three and a half centuries, and that has fought for independence full of difficulties and sacrifices, the Indonesian people know the true meaning of independence and sovereignty for a nation. So we feel what is inside and rumbling in the souls and feelings of our brothers and sisters in Malaya in this historic moment.”
Meanwhile, Tunku Abdul Rahman wrote this in the 1959 Merdeka Tournament programme: “I have always emphasised that sports can play a role in uniting people from different counties. This is an example.”
The 2023 Merdeka Tournament kicks off in two days. Let’s celebrate this historic moment together. At the same time, we pray for peace and prosperity in Palestine.
