TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Olympic Committee or NOC Indonesia or KOI president Raja Sapta Oktohari expressed his appreciation for the act of Filipino surfer Roger Casugay who gave away his chance to win a medal during the 2019 SEA Games for saving his Indonesian competitor Arip Nurhidayat.

“We are thankful for NOC Philippines especially Casugay who has shown the essence of a true friendly match. Winning is indeed important, but friendship and humanity are above all that,” said Raja Sapta in Manila, Philippines, Monday.

Indonesian Chef de Mission (CdM) for 2019 SEA Games, Harry Warganegara, also conveyed the same sentiment. He expressed gratitude for the rescue.

“As chief of Indonesian contingents, I’d like to say thank for Ohisgoc and chief of the Philippines’ contingents. We truly praise the Filipino athlete’s act,” said Harry in Manila.

Roger Casugay has become public spotlight after he saved his competitor rather than resuming the men’s longboard competition during the 2019 SEA Games.

Casugay gave away his chance to bring home a medal as he helped Indonesian athlete Arip who was swept by waves to the shore.

The heroic act was captured by a local surfer Jefferson Ganuelas on his personal Facebook account before it was re-uploaded on the Philippines' official account of the 2019 SEA Games.

ANTARA