Lenteng Agung school wins contest for the disabled
Lenteng Agung school wins contest for the disabled
JAKARTA (JP): Students from the Lenteng Agung school, South
Jakarta, came out winners in Saturday's sports competitions for
the disabled, which were held in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Asih Budi II junior school, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, won
second prize, and another school, Budi Daya, came third.
The competitions were comprised of athletics, mass gymnastics
and long-distance walking for families.
The one-day event, especially for those with mental
disabilities, was organized by the Special Olympics Foundation of
Indonesia. The foundation arranges competitions for talent
scouting aimed for international competitions.
Mustara Musa, a coach, said the foundation is now preparing to
send athletes to Singapore's National Games, to which Indonesia
is also invited. The games, to take place in May, include
competitions for the disabled, Mustara said.
Another coach, former badminton champion Minarni Soedaryanto,
said sports and competitions are very important to increase self-
confidence of the disabled.
"But parents need to be constantly urged to support their
children" who want to join sports, she said.
Mustara said children tend to shed dependence on family
members when they participate in sports. Sportsmanship is high
among athletes with mental disabilities, he said.
"They are very disappointed when they lose, but are happy for
their winning competitors," Mustara said.
The event in Kuningan was also an opportunity for fun, even
for participants who had not exercised regularly.
Sari, a participant in the family long-distance walk, said she
enjoyed the event.
The competition was attended by Sri Sumarsih Surjadi
Soedirdja, the governor's wife, who is the foundation's patron.
Saturday's contest was held to celebrate the 39th anniversary
of the Asih Budi Foundation, an organization focusing on the
disabled. It was also held in conjunction with the International
Day for the Disabled, which falls on Dec. 5. (anr)