By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung says he will not allow Israeli athletes to compete at the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, scheduled to take place in the Indonesian capital later this month.
The championships will take place at the Indonesia Arena, an indoor multi-purpose stadium located within the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Central Jakarta, from Oct 19 to 25.
Pramono urged organisers to evaluate carefully before inviting Israeli athletes, noting that their presence could trigger anger among Indonesians, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
"If it were up to me, the most important thing would be not to issue visas so they do not come to Jakarta.
There is no benefit at all in allowing them to compete under the current circumstances," he said, as quoted by Metro TV News, on Thursday.
Pramono also referred to President Prabowo Subianto's recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, which reaffirmed Indonesia's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
"Whatever happens in Gaza leaves a deep impression on all of us. President Prabowo's speech at the UN was already clear and firm," he added.
One of Indonesia's most influential Islamic organisations, Muhammadiyah, has also rejected the participation of Israeli athletes, saying it goes against the spirit of the constitution and could offend the feelings of many Indonesians.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has taken a similar stance, saying that allowing the athletes to compete would contradict the nation's fundamental principles of independence and justice amid the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza.
In May 2024, the International Gymnastics Federation named Indonesia as host of the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships following the approval of a bid submitted by the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (PB Persani).
The event will mark the first time the championship is held in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia.
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