T

he SEA Games continue to feature more positive aspects of resource-rich Papua, in contrast to the recent stream of negative news surrounding prolonged violence, infighting and industrial strike action in the province.

Unfancied Papuan sprinter Franklin Ramses Burumi turned spectators’ heads after winning his second gold of the Games in the prestigious men’s 200-meters sprint on Monday.

Franklin has answered in resounding fashion the doubts of the Indonesian Track and Field Association (PASI), which at one time planned to drop him from the national team’s delegation. He previously won the men’s 100-meters on Saturday.

Franklin vowed to escape the shadow of his illustrious senior, Suryo Agung Wibowo, (absent due to going on the haj), the fastest man in Southeast Asia with his record-breaking time of 10.17 seconds in the 100m, which he set in the Laos Games in 2009.

“Just give me one or two years to match Suryo’s time,” said the 20-year-old Franklin, who clocked 10.37.

Franklin’s fellow Papuan Serafi Anelis Unani also excelled in the women’s 100m sprint on Saturday to snatch gold, cementing host Indonesia’s domination in both the men’s and women’s sprint categories.

The Papua effect also took place in the karate arena and on the soccer pitch.

Papuan fighter Yolanda Asmuruf nailed gold in the women’s kumite 68-kilogram competition.

Papuan soccer players, like Patrich Wanggai and Titus “Tibo” Bonai, wowed Indonesian spectators as they led the Garuda team in thrashing Cambodia 6-0, silencing Singapore 2-0 and ousting the favorites Thailand 3-1. Patrich scored four of the goals, while Tibo scored three out of the total of 11.

Laudatory comments flooded social media and microblogging sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, praising the achievements by the Papuans, especially in light of the troubled situation back in the athletes’ hometowns.

Papua has dominated the headlines over the past few months, with a massive strike at the giant copper and gold mining company PT Freeport McMoRan Indonesia. The strike erupted into a social and political conflict following the shooting of four demonstrators. Violence also broke out in other cities in Papua. Tensions surrounding the Papua issue were also experienced by Papuans based in other cities in the country.

Tibo said he tried not to be distracted by the ongoing situation in Papua.

“I tried to stay focused on defending the red-and-white squad. I wanted to help Indonesia to win gold,” Tibo said.

Meanwhile, double gold-medal winner Franklin said, “This is sport, not politics,” he said.

“I will only say we want peace and security in Papua, so let’s talk about it in an amicable way,” he added.

“We have shown what we can achieve so, please, never underestimate the Papuan people,” he asserted.