Lawmaker Samuel Wattimena Urges Sepak Takraw Athletes in Kendal to Excel Academically

Kendal (ANTARA) — Member of House of Representatives Commission VII Samuel Wattimena has urged sepak takraw athletes from the Citra Kartika club in Jungsemi Village, Kendal Regency, Central Java, to also excel academically in addition to their sporting achievements.

“Physical excellence comes first, but intellectual and spiritual excellence must follow,” said the People’s Consultative Assembly member during a Four Pillars socialisation event before athletes of the Citra Kartika sepak takraw club in Kendal on Sunday.

According to him, Indonesians must possess excellence in mind, attitude, and heart.

He said the young athletes could become icons originating from the world of sport.

The serious development of sepak takraw athletes along the northern coast of Central Java, he continued, has been undertaken from an early age.

Meanwhile, Citra Kartika coach Nurkholis said the sepak takraw club uses the grounds of SDN 2 Jungsemi primary school as their training field.

“We built it through self-funding and received assistance to construct the training ground,” he said.

He revealed that approximately 100 athletes ranging from children to adults are members of the club, which was established in 1983.

He said the sepak takraw club has produced numerous achievements, including athletes who have represented Indonesia at international events.

“There are two male and female athletes, as well as one coach, who strengthened the Indonesian national team at the Cambodia SEA Games, where they won gold medals,” he said.