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