Diplomasi Olahraga Gabungan Bridge Seluruh Indonesia (Gabsi) melalui World Bridge Federation (WBF)

Abstrak

Bridge merupakan salah satu olahraga otak (mindsport) yang telah diakui secara internasional termasuk di Indonesia. Namun olahraga tersebut baru dikenal sebatas olahraga semata, tanpa kesadaran akan peranan maupun fungsi lainnya, misalnya sebagai sarana diplomasi olahraga. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, peneliti menelaah olahraga bridge sebagai diplomasi olahraga dengan meninjau hubungan antara Gabungan Bridge Seluruh Indonesia (Gabsi) dan World Bridge Federation (WBF). Peneliti menggunakan konsep diplomasi olahraga dari Nygård dan Gates (2013) dan metode penelitian kualitatif melalui studi literatur dan wawancara. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa diplomasi olahraga bridge oleh Gabsi melalui WBF dilangsungkan melalui mekanisme berikut: (i) image-building dengan aktif mengikuti banyak pertandingan internasional, menjadi tuan rumah kegiatan kejuaraan dunia maupun multi-sports event; (ii) building a platform for dialogue dengan tergabung dalam WBF dan APBF serta mempromosikan bridge di negara yang belum mengenal bridge, seperti: Filipina dan Timor Leste; (iii) trust-building dengan menjunjung tinggi sportivitas, serta konsisten membangun dan memelihara hubungan baik antar individu maupun komunitas/organisasi; dan (iv) recognition, integration, dan anti-racism berupa pengakuan akan adanya kesetaraan gender dalam struktur organisasi Gabsi maupun pertandingan.

Bridge is a mindsport that has been recognized internationally, including Indonesia. However, this sport is considered as a usual sport, without acknowledgment of other roles, for example as a means of sports diplomacy. The researcher examines bridge as sports diplomacy by reviewing the relationship between the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (ICBA) and the World Bridge Federation (WBF). Researchers use the sports diplomacy from Nygård and Gates (2013) and qualitative research methods through literature studies and interviews. This study finds that bridge sports diplomacy by ICBA through the WBF is carried out through the following mechanisms: (i) image-building by actively participating in many international competitions, hosting world championships and multi-sports events; (ii) building a platform for dialogue by joining the WBF and APBF while promoting bridges in countries that have not been familiar with bridges, such as: the Philippines and Timor Leste; (iii) trust-building by upholding sportsmanship, as well as consistently building and maintaining good relations between individuals and communities/organizations; and (iv) recognition, integration, and antiracism by acknowledging the existence of gender equality in ICBA's organizational structure and competition.