“We do not tolerate any form of racism here. The club opens its doors wide to those capable of joining hands with others in displaying fine sportmanship and integrity.”
t has been two years since Ruben Karel Sanadi first made an appearance for Persebaya Surabaya, yet every time he steps onto the soccer club’s pitch, he still gets excited. Ruben, who is now the team captain, praised the environment of the club and everything that came with it.
“I really enjoy playing here. Everything is alright. We’re very professional,” he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Ruben, a defender, is one of three Papuan players on the team, the other two being striker Osvaldo Haay and winger Nelson Alom.
The Papuans have played a key role in promoting Persebaya to Liga 1, the country’s top league. When the club was still in Liga 2, there were four other Papuans — Ricky Kayame, Fandry Imbiri, Nerius Alom and Samuel Reimas — who together with Ruben were the main engine of the club’s push for promotion.
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