President Prabowo calls for genuine attention to athletes with disabilities

Bogor, West Java (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has called for athletes with disabilities in Indonesia to receive genuine attention as part of efforts to provide equal opportunities for all citizens.

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, after meeting Prabowo at the Garuda Yaksa Pavilion in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Friday afternoon, said the President’s concern for disability sports was one of the topics discussed.

“The disabled community in Indonesia totals nearly 23.9 million or 25.9 million, and those who enjoy sports make up almost 11 percent. This means the President wants to push for these athletes with disabilities to be truly looked after,” said Erick.

Erick revealed that one of the programmes presented to the President was strengthening coaching certification for athletes with disabilities, so they have the opportunity to become coaches and train other athletes.

“What I conveyed to the President was a programme on coaching certification for them. So, after becoming coaches, they can train others,” he said.

Erick also conveyed that President Prabowo wishes to meet athletes with disabilities and inspect the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) facility in Karanganyar, which has not yet been inaugurated.

“The President also wants to see the athletes with disabilities and will even come to Karanganyar to see the NPC, which has not been inaugurated so far, because this is an important part of ensuring we give all Indonesian citizens the same opportunity. That is what the President conveyed,” he stated.

President Prabowo received Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir and Indonesian national football team coach John Herdman in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Friday afternoon. The meeting was also attended by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.