By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Without diminishing the contributions of other athletes at the Phnom Penh (Cambodia) Sea Games of 2023, Indonesian football players offer valuable teachings. The victory was not accomplished overnight but through a lengthy process in their respective clubs. As with a durian tree, the harvest is not solely the result of the proprietor of the durian garden, but also of the previous planter who cared for and fertilized the durian tree in order for it to produce fruit. Before the fruit was harvested, it underwent a lengthy process and accrued the efforts of numerous parties. Such was football’s triumph at the 2023 Sea Games. Not merely a gold medal won by Indonesia after 32 years of waiting by defeating Thailand (5:2), but also the significance of the victory, which should provide life lessons, among others:
First, a competent and devout coach. Trainers who are technically competent, religious, and well-versed in indigenous knowledge (Indonesia). The accumulation of such a sum contributes to the accomplishment of the assigned task. This refers to the words of the Prophet Muhammad: “Be prepared to face the Day of Judgment if a matter is entrusted to an amateur” (HR. Bukhari).
If the coach who is entrusted to coach the football team is not an expert (as well as other sports), then what is entrusted will be destroyed. If the placement of SEA games sports coaches is practised in all aspects of life, then this country will be better and get blessings. However, if an affair is handed over and managed by a non-expert, then a large country will collapse, especially in a small affair or region. When a matter is handed over to a figure who is not an expert, it is a sign of the dwarfism of the giver of the mandate. The dwarfism is caused by his “hands that are shackled” by the politics of reciprocity (reciprocity) and the interests of false (wrong) ashobiah (group feeling or social cohesion) that bind his tongue. As a result, a phobic mentality is developed when dealing with those who are qualified as enemies and need to be eliminated. On the other hand, those who are incapable of taking care of a matter are put in charge, but only if they are willing to comply with the wishes of the mandate giver. As a result, mistakes will be ignored and the advice of the owner of the truth will be eliminated.
Even though the affairs (Football in SEA Games) have been delegated to experts, Allah is not forgotten by the coaching staff. He realized that all endeavours required complete submission to God. This behaviour is a manifestation of Allah’s words: “I worship you, and I seek assistance from you” (al-Fatihah 5).
What the coaching staff demonstrates is a rare occurrence in the modern era, particularly when it comes to obtaining favours (victory). The collective prostration of gratitude each time the ball penetrates the goal of the opponent is a form of servitude and appreciation. Presenting Allah’s role in all of one’s accomplishments, while at the same time destroying one’s conceit over one’s own grandeur. Because nothing is possible without His will. This is what the Prophet Muhammad teaches through his words: “There is no power and no effort apart from the power of Allah, the Highest, the Greatest” (HR. Bukhari).
Despite the clarity of His words and the Prophet’s words, it is frequently challenging to implement in daily life. Furthermore, when we are fortunate, self-promotion ensues. Allah appears to be present only when man is afflicted with distress but ignores him when he experiences happiness. As if the pleasure and accomplishments he has attained are solely due to his efforts. In fact, in SEA Games 2023, football improves the coaching staff’s capacity for vertical and horizontal communication.
Second, experienced and qualified auxiliary coaches. Aware of the head coach’s limitations in carrying out a large mandate, it is necessary to provide the coaching staff with quality and expertise in their respective disciplines. Assistants who can provide intelligent and insightful input. Assistants who have a heavy workload are not limited to being adept at stating without evidence. Certainly, a coaching staff that implements the words of Allah: “… Help you in (doing) virtue and piety, and do not aid you in sin and enmity…” (QS. al-Maidah: 2).
The harmonious team of mentors also provides input and advice for the greater benefit. Consequently, it is only natural that good also be attained. The existing boat will be destroyed if the assistant crew is present to the extent that it exists and is adept at saving face without offering intelligent advice. Moreover, if the assistant team is only “good at guarding,” praising the head coach for a blunder that was actually made, good at taking face, justifying wrong behaviour and blaming right behaviour, or engaging in other forms of hypocrisy, it will destroy what will be accomplished.
Third, a team of collaborative partners (psychologists, health, and spirituality who “inject religious values, nutritional intake guardians, and others). Evidently, a head coach needs more than a team of coaches to triumph. They are frequently backed by parties operating behind the scenes. They are seldom emphasized by the media, but they determine the overall success of the task. communal success is evaluated as a communal success and collective failure as a collective failure. This implies that without the cooperation of all parties, success cannot be achieved. Do not undervalue the contribution of others. Because success is the accumulation of all team members’ cooperation and contributions. Although the quantity of trust varies, the quality of all parties’ contributions cannot be minimized.
Fourth, the state’s presence. The government should not be analogous to the proverbial “end of sweetness, end of waste” Guidance and appreciation are not limited to when they are productive and successful; their future viability must also be considered. They have brought honour to the nation and flown the Red and White flag around the world. Many of the nation’s “heroes” endure hardship. In the meantime, there are still those who denigrate and “sell” the country, as well as “trample” the Republic of Indonesia’s symbol and laws but live comfortably in the country.
Fifth, all competitors share the objective of representing Indonesia with pride and honour. On the green field, all players adhere to their duties and responsibilities professionally (no “entrusted players” or pretenders). Everyone guards every inch of their territory with the same objective in mind and never gives up. There is no jealousy or envy. When an assailant scores a goal against an opponent, the goalkeeper is not envious if his name is not announced. Everyone is content because victory and prosperity go hand in hand. Even the players on the sideline celebrated their team’s victory. No one is idle, no one is envious, no one feels more depleted of energy, etc. All were united in a common purpose without neglecting their respective roles and responsibilities. Everyone desires to uncover the past of civilization. Although not tallied statistically, the desire for glory never diminishes. Asa and zeal to elevate the level and sagging spirit of Indonesian football.
However, oddly enough, there are still a few (colleagues) who only consider of themselves and wish to flaunt their accomplishments by closing the role of others. As if the success attained was the result of his own hard work and accomplishments (his time), rather than the collaboration of the entire team and other parties prior to him. In reality, the average person thinks “like a frog in its shell.” Feeling wonderful in a small area, but not observing much greatness outside the shell.
Sixth, the proverb “the ball is round” states that the ball is round. Almost anything can occur. Make the most of your time and do not give up on the pursuit of virtue. The Prophet reminds us, through his words, that “…the best of human beings are those who are the most beneficial to other human beings” (HR. Thabrani and Daruquthni).
This is the perception of the red and white team’s generosity during the final round of the SEA Games 2023 football competition. Although victory is imminent, never relax your vigilance and remain vigilant. Although time may be running out, continue to do well. Allah reminds us through His word: “… do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy.” (QS. Yusuf: 87).
Nobody can predict what will occur in the future. Continue to exert maximal effort, pray ceaselessly, and have faith in God’s plan. Keep a positive attitude and nothing will be insurmountable. Plant goodness until the end of your existence. Everything is possible for those who submit to His will.
The seventh factor is the support and intentions of everyone. In fact, although eleven participants are required to play football, the 12th player should not be overlooked. They are the spectators who enthusiastically support the entire squad. As prayers are offered, echoes of encouragement are not the only sounds heard. All merged into a single sentiment and desire to make this country proud.
The support of spectators is a symbol of populist nationalism. The unity of emotion is the result of the coach, assistant coach, team, country, and players understanding what the audience (the people) desires or anticipates. The entire team’s communication is able to unite the expectations of the entire audience. The intertwining of identical emotions can produce identical objectives and emotions. Happiness and melancholy are intimately related. Such is the harmonious relationship between the entire football team, the athletes, and the fans. They merge into a single emotion and purpose. There are no “heroes of the day” who anticipate a reward. If the “heroes of the day” are present, then hope will be fostered and the custom of “exploiting a situation” will be established. In reality, nothing has been done in this country to advance civilization. When teams and athletes are unable to communicate with the audience, the situation is different. The team sees the most deserving, the players see the finest, and the audience simply observes the joke’s endearing nature. All are present at a single event but have distinct objectives and emotions. If this holds true, then failure will be the result.
Indeed, the 2023 sea games football event was able to present unified desires and objectives devoid of bigotry, political interests, hypocrisy, sycophants, and other variants. No one asks for “position compensation” for what has been given after the event has concluded. Everything pays off when the objective is reached, as the objective is for Indonesia’s name to reverberate and the Red and White flag to fly majestically in the sky. Unfortunately, the football event at the SEA Games 2023 is frequently inconsistent with actuality outside of football (and other sports). Every yell of desire, every action containing hope, and every compliment imagining wealth.
The euphoria of the success of the SEA Games team, especially football, must be acknowledged and used as a model for organizing this nation. Especially if there are experts outside the green field who should be intelligent enough to determine wise attitudes but act otherwise. Do not permit the athletes to demonstrate maturation, while the scholars outside the green field demonstrate a childish attitude by fighting over players. This disgraceful attitude must be avoided if we are to construct a civilized society. Congratulations to the SEA Games 2023 athlete who has been the patriots of Indonesian. Numerous teachings have been acquired. It merely awaits the realization of the ethos and lessons of the post-Olympics sea games. Because sea games 2023 left a million lessons to be used as guidelines and inspiration to us for constructing a more illustrious Indonesian civilization, this statement is true.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra, S.Pd
Alumni from the English Education Study Program at STAIN Bengkalis.
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan.
