[Asian Games] Women's sepaktakraw: 9-year-old South Korean supports Indonesian team

Published : Sept 28, 2014 - 11:20 Updated : Sept 29, 2014 - 11:12

Among the supporters who came for Indonesian women's team in today's semifinal match against Myanmar, there was one young boy spotted holding a pair of cheering baloons and shouted very loudly for Indonesia.

Heo Jae-hoon, 9-year-old boy from Incheon, came to support Indonesian women's team today at Bucheon Gymnasium. The match was held between indonesia and Myanmar and the Myanmar supporters were very enthusiastic, energetic, loud, and came in a large group of people; meanwhile Indonesia only had their men's team who came to watch along with technical officials and some volunteering youth supporters. On why did he chose Indonesia instead of the more popular Myanmar, he innocently answered, “Because I think they will do well.”

Heo Jae-hoon, 9-year-old boy from Incheon, supports Indonesian women's team.

Jae-hoon, who came with his parents, grandmother, and his younger brother and sister, answered honestly about watching a sepaktakraw match, “It's not bad,” he said. He had been shouting “Indonesia!” while clapping his cheering baloons as the players from Indonesia competed against Myanmar. At the moment of the interview, Indonesia was in a losing position to Myanmar and was unlikely to win the game; surprising enough, Jae-hoon commented maturely, “It's alright if they don't win – to play wholeheartedly is enough.”

Upon being asked of whether or not he wants to visit Indonesia someday, he shyly answered, “I have never been to Indonesia and I don't think I will go in near future; I don't know how to speak the language.” However, his mother showed a great interest in visiting Indonesia.

In sepaktakraw, the team event has three regus with one additional regu of reserves or substitutes, thus, in total there are 12 players. Supporters are a team's 13th player, as quoted from Indonesian men's team's coach, Muhammad Akmar – they give a positive energy to the team; motivation and spirit to fight better. As tomorrow will be the final in team event of sepaktakraw, hopefully we will see more high-spirited supporters just like this young boy.

By Christina Natalia (AGNS)