The National Paralympics Committee (NPC) can breathe a sigh of relief as the Youth and Sports Ministry has vowed to distribute long-awaited training funds for 2020 ASEAN Para Games preparations.

The para athletes have been training for months without the support of government funds.

NPC head Senny Marbun has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ministry, represented by development of national sports achievement official Gajah Nata Surya.

The NPC will receive around Rp 119 billion (US$8.4 million) for the ASEAN Para Games training program, far less that the earlier proposed funds of Rp 199 billion. Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi assured the committee that it would be able to access the money next week at the latest.

“The [fund] disbursement process, which is starting much later than expected, has not influenced the spirit of the country’s Paralympic squad in starting training,” said Imam.

He praised the NPC’s daring initiative to start training without enough funds in its pocket.

“This has been a good example [to start early] without relying on government support,” he added.

He also expected the funds to boost the squad’s morale, so that it could repeat its success at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, when it brought home 126 golds, 75 silvers and 50 bronzes, beating host country Malaysia, in second position with only 90 golds.

The achievement was a significant boost for the country as the Indonesia’s SEA Games contingent had won only 38 gold medals to land in fifth place.

Senny acknowledged that the committee would immediately use the funds to pay off its debts as it had been forced to borrow money to send several athletes abroad for tryouts this year. The para badminton squad, for example, has started several competitions outside the country, such as in Canada and Ireland, to collect Tokyo Paralympic qualification points.

The NPC’s debt has reached Rp 1.5 billion, most of which was spent on accommodations abroad for tryouts.

The Rp 119 billion in government funds will be used to support some 300 para athletes competing in 16 sports.

Senny is optimistic that his squad will repeat the success of 2017 by dominating the ASEAN Para Games. He has set his sights on several sports, like para badminton, para athletics, para swimming and table tennis, which he believes can qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

In the meantime, the Indonesian para badminton squad, which is currently trying to qualify for Tokyo 2020, has proven once again it is hard to beat. In the 2019 Forza Irish Para Badminton International, which ended on Sunday, the team secured five titles.

Leani Ratri Oktilla, who was named the best female para badminton player last year by the Badminton World Federation, won three titles. Competing in the SL4 category (lower limbs impairment), she won the mixed doubles event with Hary Susanto, women’s doubles with Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko and women’s singles.

The Irish tournament gave Leani her second triple crown this year as the world number one previously won three titles in the Yonex Canada Para Badminton International in May.

Dheva Anrimusthi, who competes in the SU5 category (upper limbs impairment), won the men’s singles event and men’s doubles with Hafizh Prawiranegara.

Popular

Volcano erupts in North Sulawesi, hundreds evacuated

Dubai roads, airport reel from floods after record rains

Ramadan boosts consumer confidence, retail sales