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Activists condemn horse racing for children in West Nusa Tenggara after young jockey's death
Horse racing for children is a tradition in West Nusa Tenggara and highly supported by local administrations and residents.
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Child horse racing is very popular on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara. (Kompas/Khaerul Anwar)
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hildren rights activists have called on local horse racing organizers to stop involving children in competitions following the death of Muhammad Sabila Putra, a 10-year-old jockey who died after falling from his horse.
Sabila died after succumbing to a head injury sustained when he fell during a race to commemorate the Indonesian Military’s birthday in Bima city on Monday. His horse was injured and collapsed, resulting in Sabila's fall. He died shortly after he was taken to a hospital.
The West Nusa Tenggara Child Protection Institution's (LPA-NTB) law and advocacy coordinator, Joko Jumadi, said that the institution had already coordinated with the group's representatives in Bima to report this accident to the police.
“We highly recommend other horse racing organizers to stop involving child jockeys in the event because there is an indication of exploitation that endangers children,” Joko said on Friday.
Joko further explained that children are often used to gain profits in a horse racing arena.
“Whether they realize it or not, children become the source of profits in this case. A child jockey can generate up to Rp 10 million (US$708) in an event. Surely, their parents are the ones who enjoy it [the money], as they are the ones who make their kids become jockeys in the first place,” Joko said.
Horse racing by children is common in the province since it is considered a traditional sporting event that is part of the festivities after harvest. Residents hold the races as an expression of gratitude for their crops, but these days the races have become a tourist attraction in the area.
