Scores a hat trick, Menpora Appreciates 2023 Cambodian ASEAN Para Games Athletes

– The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo appreciated the Indonesian contingent who had succeeded in becoming the overall champion of the ASEAN Para Games 2023 Cambodia.

This result brought Indonesia to become the overall champion for the third time in a row or hattrick and carry the fragrance of the name of Indonesia.

“I want to congratulate and thank you for bringing the name of the Indonesian people to life,” said Menpora Dito at the “Meeting of Champions” event in the yard of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Office, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (3/7/2023).

As is known, the Indonesian contingent at the Cambodian ASEAN Para Games which was held on 3-9 June 2023, won 158 gold, 148 silver and 95 bronze medals. This achievement made Indonesia hattrick as the overall champion (in 2017, 2022, 2023).

The ASEAN Para Games athletes have already met with President Joko Widodo for the bonus awarding ceremony. Menpora Dito hopes that the bonus will increase the motivation of the athletes to achieve higher achievements.

“This morning I also met President Joko Widodo, I hope his enthusiasm will increase, his contribution will increase and there will also be more sponsors,” he hoped.

The Menpora also stressed that achievement at the ASEAN Para Games is an intermediate goal towards higher achievements at the Asian Para Games and Paralympics.

“There are lots of athletes, coaches and assistant coaches as well as officials and other supporters. The ASEAN Para Games is only a goal between the Asian Para Games and the Paralympics,” he explained.

“Currently, the athletes who will go to the Hangzhou Asian Games are still in the stages reviews and formulation and finalization of the Review Team which is a combination of Kemenpora, KONI, KOI, and experts. The plan is to be ready this July and they will return to Pelatnas,” said Menpora Dito.

Seeing the achievements that the ASEAN Para Games athletes continue to make, Dito said the government will build a training center located in Karang Anyar, Central Jakarta. The construction target begins this year.

“This is called a commitment from the government, currently we are strengthening the principles of equality and inclusivity. So, this is a very good spirit and potential for developing sports and optimizing athletes with disabilities,” said Dito.

Also attending the event were the Chairperson of the Indonesian NPC Senny Marbun, the CdM of the Indonesian Contingent Andi Herman, Deputy for Achievement Improvement Surono, Special Staff for the Menpora for Communication and International Relations Alia Noorayu Laksono, Special Staff for the Acceleration of Youth and Sports Innovation Hasintya Saraswati, Special Staff for Legal and Alvin Saptamandra Governance Compliance.

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