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)