Jayapura, Jubi – The head of Black Danger Community (BDC) Persipura 1963, a supporters' group for Indonesian football club Persipura Jayapura, has questioned PT Freeport Indonesia's contribution to the club ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Jansen Previdea Kareth said BDC 1963 welcomed the launch of Persipura's team, new jersey, sponsorship support and a book titled Persipura dari Masa ke Masa (Persipura Through the Years) on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The launch events were held simultaneously in several cities, including Sorong in West Papua, Timika in Mimika Regency, Central Papua, Jayapura, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.
Mr Kareth also praised Persipura's management, including its commissioners, president director and chairman, as well as Nusantara Cenderawasih Karsa (NCK) President Director Owen Rahadiyan, for continuing to support and oversee the club as it prepares for the 2026-27 Liga 2 season.
"For us, this was a very lively event. It was something all the fans, loyal supporters and people of Papua had been waiting and longing for as the new season begins," Mr Kareth told Jubi in a message on Monday, August 31.
However, Mr Kareth said the launch had also raised questions about the club's sponsorship arrangements, particularly the absence of support from PT Freeport Indonesia.
While acknowledging that the team launch is a requirement under league regulations before the start of a new season, he said he wanted to raise concerns directly with PT Freeport Indonesia President Director Toni Wenas.
"I want to offer some critical input to Mr Toni Wenas, as President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia. He needs to understand that Persipura is part of the identity of the Papuan people," Mr Kareth said.
He described Persipura as an important symbol for Papuans and one of the few institutions continuing to represent their dignity and pride through football in Indonesia and internationally.
Mr Kareth said the launch of the 2026-27 squad had left many people in Papua questioning why Freeport was not among the club's sponsors.
He argued that Persipura represented the people of Papua and should receive greater support from a major mining company operating in the region.
"It is strange that after decades of operating in Papua and exploiting its natural resources, from the first Contract of Work in 1976 until today, PT Freeport has not provided support or sponsorship for Persipura in Liga 2," he said.
The chairman of the Black Danger Community (BDC) Persipura 1963 supporters' group, Jansen Previdea Kareth, has questioned PT Freeport Indonesia's lack of sponsorship for Persipura Jayapura.
One of the reasons reportedly given by Freeport for not sponsoring the "Mutiara Hitam" (Black Pearl) is that the team is still competing in Liga 2, Indonesia's second-tier football competition.
Another reason is that Papua has since been divided into several provinces, meaning the administrative boundaries have changed. PT Freeport Indonesia now operates in Central Papua Province.
Kareth said he was saddened by this way of looking at the issue, arguing that Persipura is one of the few institutions capable of bringing Papuans together across the region, including people from coastal, lowland and highland communities.
"Even though Papua has now been divided into six provinces, that cannot change the love, pride and the status of Persipura, which stands above everything else for the people of Papua," he said.
Kareth said PT Freeport Indonesia's logo should have appeared on Persipura's new jersey as a sponsor when the team was officially launched.
Source: https://en.jubi.id/persipura-supporters-question-freeports-contribution-to-the-club