We need to be grateful. In the era of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), all members of the NPC get the same opportunities and rights as non-disabled athletes.
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Six disabled athletes from Papua carried the XVI National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) flag for the flag-raising ceremony at the opening of the event in Mandala Stadium, Jayapura City, on Friday.

They comprised three athletics athletes, Amon Asso, Laurent Sit, and Zet Barangsano, two swimmers Agnes Monalisa Youwe and Budiman Setiawan Youwe, and table tennis player Hanna Hesty.

The flag was stretched over the athletes’ shoulders and brought to the right side of the stage. Then, the athletes handed it over to a flag-raising troop.

After the flag was raised, the chair of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Senny Marbun, delivered a speech.

"We need to be grateful. In the era of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), all members of the NPC get the same opportunities and rights as non-disabled athletes," he remarked.

He said that only President Widodo had the courage to accord equal treatment to disabled and non-disabled athletes.

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"I also thank Papua Governor Lukas Enembe for providing the best facilities for people with disabilities and fully supporting the implementation of XVI Peparnas," he added.

At least 1,985 athletes are participating in the national sporting event for disabled athletes from provinces across Indonesia, except West Sulawesi.

They will compete in 12 sports at the event: weightlifting, cerebral palsy football, judo, badminton, athletics, chess, shooting, swimming, archery, boccia, table tennis, and wheelchair tennis.

The XVI Papua Peparnas is a momentum for equality and a stage for athletes with disabilities to showcase their ability and continue to excel in making the nation proud, Marbun said.

All activities at the event will be done under the strict implementation of the health protocols to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

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Translator: Hendrina Kandipi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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