Jakarta –
The U-20 Israel National Team was rejected by several elements of Indonesian society. A different experience was felt by the Israeli cyclist, Mikhail Yakovlev, during the race in Jakarta.
Indonesia canceled hosting the 2023 U-20 World Cup. FIFA revoked Indonesia’s hosting status because it was deemed to have failed to address the current problems.
Many suspected that the problem revealed by FIFA was related to the rejection of the U-20 Israel National Team in Indonesia. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said they rejected the presence of Ofir Haim’s squad.
The rejection of Israel is political. Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with the country, and supports Palestinian independence from Israel.
Mikhail Yakovlev did not experience rejection of the U-20 Israel National Team in Indonesia. On February 23-26, he represented Israel in the 2023 UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup bicycle race at the International Velodrome, Jakarta.
Yakovlev took part in the sprint and won a bronze medal. The Russian-born Israeli athlete also placed fourth in the keirin number.
Yakovlev appeared at the Jakarta International Velodrome with full attributes. The 22-year-old cyclist wore a blue and white uniform with an Israeli flag on the chest.
“For me, when I stood there with the Israeli flag and the Star of David on my clothes, I felt it was the most natural thing in the world,” Yakovlev said, quoted by israelhayom.co.il media.
“I feel like I was born into it, that’s how it should be. I don’t feel like something different is happening,” he said about representing Israel in the race in Indonesia.
(bay/krs)
