The Indonesian community in Al Khor, under the aegis of the Indonesian embassy, organised One Day Fun Football Tournament (ODFFT) to promote awareness of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The festivity also marked the end of a week-long volleyball tournament commemorating the 71st anniversary of Indonesian Independence where 14 teams from across Qatar vied for the much-coveted status of the reigning champion.
Last month, the Indonesian community held a Diversity Walk to celebrate the motto of Indonesia – Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). The event was officiated by Indonesian ambassador Air Marshal (retd.) Muhammad Basri Sidehabi, accompanied by chairman of PERMIQA, Edwin Kurniawan, as well as representatives of Indonesian diaspora from different parts of Qatar.
Ambassador Sidehabi welcomed and appreciated the tournament held by PERMIQA and instructed the Indonesian community in Qatar to support the upcoming World Cup 2022. He also expressed hope that the Indonesian expats in Qatar become the embodiment of the personality of the Indonesian people. “The community must abide by the rules and regulations of Qatar and keep unity and integrity among Indonesians in Qatar,” added the former member of Indonesian Parliament.
True to the Unity in Diversity theme, the event featured an array of activities including showcasing cultural richness of different ethnic groups in Indonesia. The audience was enthralled by the variety of traditional dances performed by the beautifully dressed women and children. The dances were inspired by the culture found in Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan, Papua and Jakarta provinces.
According to Indonesian Embassy’s Minister Counselor, Boy Dharmawan, the groups of dancers comprises children of the Indonesian expatriates working in the oil and gas sector in Qatar. According to Mme Andi Una, the Chairman of Indonesian Women Organisation of Embassy, the event also served as a gateway to Indonesian culinary delights, showcasing the traditional cuisine. During the event, the audience was served with more than 40 dishes from different regions of Indonesia.
The selection also included the iconic dish called Rendang. It is a popular beef dish, which was popular across the world and was recognised by CNN as “the most delicious food in the world”. Also on the menu were varieties of lamb chops prepared in Indonesian spices, including Padang Satay, Maranggi Satay and fish dishes. Several traditional snacks were also promoted. IATMI Macan became the champion for this year’s ODFFT after defeating 12 other squads. As for the volleyball tournament, of the 16 teams competing, RasGas’ women team took the trophy while Komiq Volley Ball Club from Mesaieed took the men’s trophy.
EXTRAVAGANZA: Apart from the football tournament, the festivities also marked the end of a week-long volleyball tournament commemorating the 71st anniversary of Indonesian Independence and a variety of cultural performances.
