TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Olympic champion Liliyana Natsir receives warm welcome in hometown

Thousands of supporters applauded badminton player Liliyana Natsir, who won a gold medal with her partner Tontowi Yahya in mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a victory parade in her hometown of Manado, North Sulawesi, on Monday. 

Lita Aruperes (The Jakarta Post)
Manado, North Sulawesi
Tue, August 30, 2016

Share This Article

Change Size

Olympic champion Liliyana Natsir receives warm welcome in hometown Precious moment -- Manado residents warmly welcomed Liliyana Natsir with a parade on Monday. (thejakartapost.com/Lita Aruperes)

T

housands of supporters applauded badminton player Liliyana Natsir, who won a gold medal with her partner Tontowi Yahya in mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a victory parade in her hometown of Manado, North Sulawesi, on Monday.  

Liliyana, who is also known by her nickname "Butet", arrived at Sam Ratulangi Airport with her mom Olly Maramis. Liliyana is scheduled to attend several events in Manado.

“Butet has not returned to her hometown in Manado for years,” said Liliyana’s father, Benno. A gathering is scheduled for Tuesday to express thanks to God for Liliyana’s victory in Rio.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post, Benno said Liliyana was the pride of the family. “I’m proud of my daughter. Moreover, she managed to present a gold medal, a precious gift, for the 71st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day,” he said.

A special gift -- Liliyana Natsir celebrates with the flag after she and partner Tontowi Ahmad won a gold medal in the badminton mixed doubles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 17. They defeated Malaysia's Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying.(AP/Mark Humphrey)

Hundreds of athletes and officials from the North Sulawesi-chapter of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) and the Student Sports Education and Training Center (PPLP), alongside journalists and supporters, enthusiastically waited for Liliyana at the airport’s arrival gate on Monday.  

The 30-year-old badminton player was warmly welcomed with a parade, which started from the airport and ended at North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey’s office. During a lunch reception hosted by the governor, Liliyana received the key to a luxury house presented by the provincial administration as a gift for her victory.

“It’s a bonus for Butet,” North Sulawesi Youth and Sports Agency chief Mecky Onibala said. Liliyana is scheduled to return back to Jakarta on Wednesday. (ebf)

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.