Boas: The king of soccer in Asia

  Soccer in Papua

Boaz T Solosa 

People of various ages and skill levels can participate in soccer, with those of various sizes being able to do equally well. Soccer can also be a great sport for kids who may not have high levels of athletic ability, but who would like to participate in team sports. Soccer is ideal for boys, girls, men, and women because they all play the same game under the same rules and it is a game where physically appropriate players may play alongside each other(” Better Health Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 30 Nov. 2014). In Papua, everyone is born with a football dream and wants to become a professional footballer(” www.fifa.com”). Most Papuans are born athletic. Soccer is the most sport that all Papuan know how to play and are very talented on. Modern Papuans are known for their athleticism and particularly their football, which they play from a young age and often at high altitudes in the mountainous region(Football.” The Straits Times, 18 Oct. 2017). Papua has a huge contribution to the Indonesian national soccer team. Papua provided the best and most skilled professional soccer player to play in the indonesian national team.

Boas Theofilus Erwin Solossa (born 16 March 1986) is an Indonesian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga 1 club Persipura Jayapura and the Indonesia national team. He is known for his high-level dribbling technique, shooting accuracy, and left-foot passing.[1] In 2011, Boaz received an offer to play at the Dutch club VVV-Venlo, but rejected the offer and remains with Persipura in Jayapura. In 2017 he was chosen as the first Indonesian footballer to be entered in the list of 50 Asian best footballers by FourFourTwo magazine(“Boaz Solossa.” Wikipedia). Not only Boaz but there are more professional soccer players from Papua such as Titus Bonai, Osvaldo Hay, Yanto Basna, and many others. They all played in the professional leagues in Indonesia (Liga 1 Indonesia).

The lack of opportunity and facilities in Papua is a big challenge. Papuan people are born with the ability and talent in soccer, but to help them to gain their dreams, good facilities and government participation is needed. Many professional soccer players in Indonesia after their retirement ended up having no jobs. The government must think of another idea to help them after their retirement. However, soccer helps teenagers to avoid drugs and unwanted teenager problems. Scientists haven't studied all of the potential benefits of sport. But according to Wolfgang Brettschneider (1999), who reviewed the scientific studies, research has shown that sports for young people can lead to Improved self-esteem, being better able to handle stress, can increase academic performance, and better relationships with family.

As a result, the government should provide good facilities to support Papuan people who want to become professional soccer players because most of the best professional soccer teams in Indonesia are dominated by the Papuans lastly soccer provides an activity for young Papuans to not start doing drugs and other activities that could lead them down the wrong path.