The unresolved friction between the Indonesian government and gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia has had a negative impact on the Persipura Jayapura soccer club, the pride of many Papuan soccer fans.

“PT Freeport has stopped its sponsorship of the Persipura team. It has sent an official email to the group’s management, highlighting problems related to its operational permit from the Indonesian government as the main cause of the decision,” Persipura chairman Benhur Tommy Mano told The Jakarta Post in Jayapura on Friday.

He said Persipura Jayapura was now facing difficulties covering its activities as there was no more funding from Freeport, which had long been its sponsor.

Persipura is now striving to attract new sponsors so the team can continue to participate in competitions. “If we get sponsors, we will continue to operate as per usual. In a worst-case scenario, we will have to stop taking part in competitions,” said Benhur.

He further said Persipura was approaching state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, MNC Group owner Hary Tanoesoedibjo and the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in West Papua to ask them to become sponsors.

“Pak Hary Tanoe seems interested in becoming our sponsor,” said Benhur.

Pertamina MOR VIII spokesperson Taufiqurahman admitted Persipura had sent a sponsorship proposal to his company. “But there is no decision yet,” he told the Post.

Freeport has been Persipura’s main sponsor since 2015. The company disbursed Rp 11 billion (US$ 824,650.20) in funds for the soccer team in 2016, up from Rp 9 billion in the previous year. (ebf)