Opportunity missed

Opportunity missed

From Media Indonesia

I was overjoyed to experience the joy of the Indonesian independence jubilee. But not long afterwards, I was disappointed to learn that the West Java government reneged on a promise to help disabled athletes participate in the International Abilympics in Perth, Australia, from Sept. 1 to 5, 1995.

When I took part in the National Abilympics in Surabaya, East Java, between June 29 and July 3, 1995, just prior to the departure of the West Java contingent, an official said that the local authorities were paying much attention to the disabled.

The Surabaya Abilympics was staged to select the national team for the Perth Abilympics. Five athletes were selected from West Java. The expenses for sending the athletes were to be borne by the respective provinces.

For this reason, we asked the West Java government to support our participation in the Perth games. However, we never received an answer to our proposal.

It is unfortunate that such an important event was missed and that an opportunity for Indonesians with disabilities to lift the nation's image was squandered.

J. HENDRA

Bandung, West Java