It's been four months a day since the coup d'etat in Myanmar.
As the number of victims continues to increase due to the crackdown on civilians by the military, even in the sports world, where political remarks have been tabooed, there is a growing movement to raise protests without regard for personal danger.
In Myanmar, military crackdowns on civilians have continued since the coup d'etat in February, and local human rights groups have found that more than 800 civilians have been killed in shootings by security forces.
Under these circumstances, Myanmar athletes are taking action one after another.
In soccer, the Myanmar national team is on an expedition to Japan for the second qualifying round of the World Cup Asia, but several players have declined to participate.
One of them, Zaw Min Tun, who has been playing as a representative for about 10 years, told NHK that "I want to stand on the side of the citizens. I decided to stand on the side of justice." I'm talking.
In addition, none of the players who participated in the national team sang at the national anthem sung during the match against Japan on the 28th of this month, and one of the substitute players showed their intention to protest against the military. I posed to raise my finger.
In addition, a player who has a national record in Myanmar for swimming and was considered to be a strong candidate for the Tokyo Olympics, announced that he would decline to participate in the military promotion if he participated under the current system. Even in the sports world, where political remarks have been regarded as taboo, there is a growing movement to raise protests without regard for personal danger.
Soccer player who declined the representative "I want to stand on the side of the citizens"
A player who declined to participate in the Myanmar national team in the second qualifying round of the Soccer World Cup revealed to NHK that the reason for the decline was to protest the military, which continues to crack down on citizens. did.
The interviewee was Zaw Min Htun, who has been playing for Myanmar for about 10 years.
In April, the Myanmar Football Federation asked for participation in the national team for the second qualifying round of the World Cup Asia, but after the coup d'etat, many citizens including soccer fans are suffering from the crackdown by the military. After worrying, he declined.
Zaw Min Tun said, "I want to stand on the side of the citizens. As a parent, I want to teach my children what is right. That's why I decided to stand on the side of justice," he said. I did.
On the other hand, about not being able to play in the match against Japan, "I had the opportunity to play with Japanese players who are active in Europe, but I am very disappointed. I feel like I have to just sit and watch the match. I can't do it, "he said as a player.
Zaw Min Htun said, "Once the military dictatorship is over, I want to play for Myanmar again." He said to Japan, "I want the international community to know what is happening in Myanmar." I want you to help me. "
Ask IOC to participate in the Olympics with individual qualifications
Some Myanmar athletes have declined to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, which will start in July.
Win Tet Wu (26), who holds a Myanmar record for a 50-meter freestyle swimmer, is continuing training based in Australia, where he moved with his family four years ago (2017), and is likely to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. It was seen.
However, after a coup d'etat in his homeland, he was distressed by the fact that citizens were victims of military crackdowns on a daily basis, and in April announced through a Facebook post that he would not participate in the Tokyo tournament. ..
In the text posted, he criticized that "the current Myanmar Olympic Committee is only a military puppet that killed many defenseless citizens," and participating as a representative of Myanmar under the current system is a part of the military promotion. I complained that I could end up doing it.
He emphasized that he could not participate in the Olympic march under the flag stained with the blood of the people, and expressed his intention to protest the coup d'etat by not participating in the Tokyo Games.
For Win Tet Wu, participating in the Olympics was a dream he had been aiming for since he was a child, but he said about the decision to give up, "I am lucky enough to live in Australia, but every day in Myanmar, people It has been cracked down and robbed of the future of young people. It was necessary to give up participation to show solidarity with them. "
In addition, Myanmar athletes will enter the Tokyo Games with individual qualifications, saying to the IOC = International Olympic Committee, "Continuing to approve the current Myanmar Olympic Committee will recognize the legitimacy of military rule." He sent a letter asking him to participate.
In addition, we plan to start signing activities to revoke the approval of the Myanmar Olympic Committee in the future, and we would like to cooperate with other athletes in Myanmar.
Under these circumstances, Win Tet Wu continues to train hard every day.
"When the day comes when democracy returns to Myanmar, I would like to participate in the Olympics as a leader to raise younger generations, even if I am not a player," said Myanmar players, proudly at the international competition as a representative of their homeland. We are looking forward to the day when we can participate.
Burmese in Japan "Speaking for what the people are feeling"
Burmese people in Japan are also calling on their players in their home countries to show their willingness to stand up to the military.
The Myanmar national football team came to Japan for the second qualifying round of the World Cup Qatar tournament in Asia, and played against the Japanese national team on the 28th of this month in the first international match after the coup d'etat.
Before the match, about 100 Burmese residents in Japan gathered outside the stadium in Chiba City, which was the venue, to hold a placard stating "We do not support the military soccer team" and head to the stadium to "go to sports. I oppose the military intervention of the stadium. "
One of the participants, Ye Nyein (57), was once active as a soccer player in Myanmar, but in 1988, after participating in an anti-government demonstration, he felt dangerous and fled to Japan.
The coaches of the Myanmar national team who came to Japan also have acquaintances who were playing in the same league at that time.
“It is the dream of most athletes to represent the country, but given the current situation in Myanmar, I would not participate,” said Ye, to the athletes and representatives who were detained in resistance to the military. Some players have declined to participate, but the members who came to Japan this time feel resentment.
On the other hand, I am deeply impressed that there must have been a situation in which each of them could not refuse the convocation and a conflict as a player who wanted to play at a high level.
Still, Mr. Ye said, "I have to stand in the same position as other teammates, such as the arrested players. As a representative of Myanmar, I want you to speak for what the people are feeling." I urge them to show their willingness to confront the military.