The players on Bali’s main football team may come from a variety of cultures and hold different faiths, but they are all playing for the same team.
A photo showing three Bali United footballers celebrating a victory on Sunday in Bali is a beautiful statement about multiculturalism and tolerance on the Island of the Gods. While Bali is predominantly Hindu, the island is home to Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim minorities.
The photo, which has now gone viral as it’s been shared and reposted all over Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, shows men of three different faiths, praying to God, each in their own way. Bali United defeated Papua team, Perseru in Gianyar with a score of 3-1.
Ngurah Nanak, a Hindu, stands tall, touching his hands together to his head, Yabes Roni, a Christian, kneels and clasps his hands together, while Miftahul Hamdi, a Muslim, bows his head to the ground.
The football players were not directed to pose in prayer, but just found themselves spontaneously celebrating in the way they best knew how, says the Bali United coach, Widodo C. Putro.
“There were no instructions to do that. Football can show incredible strength. In football, we can also fight, but we (celebrate) like this.
“Because togetherness is a strength of Bali United.
“That was from the players’ spontaneity alone.”
It seems Bali United really is the perfect name for this football team.
Reader Interactions