And yet, the euphoric vibes of sporting events in Indonesia is not over. The entire nation's eyes should not divert from Papua just yet.
Now, as many as 1,985 athletes representing 34 provinces are competing in 12 sports to win the highest achievement and predicate at the 16th National Paralympic Week (Peparnas). It was officially opened by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Saturday, November 6.
They are competing at the 16th National Paralympic Week to grab medals for their respective contingents. The fight will continue until the event's end on November 13, 2021.
Athletes with disabilities compete in weightlifting, para-athletic, boccia, badminton, chess, judo, shooting, archery, swimming, cerebral palsy (CP) football, wheelchair court tennis, and table tennis.
The National Paralympic Week has been prepared thoroughly based on previous experience from the XX National Sports Week.
"It's not much different from the previous ones. But this one done in Papua was preceded with the success of PON, so it's not too difficult," Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali said.
Youth and Sports Ministry has collaborated with its stakeholders to prepare disabled-friendly facilities that cater to their comfort, including lodging needs.
"There are some things that need to be changed, such as the readiness to serve National Paralympic Week athletes and officials, such as wheelchair access, which was not available in the lobby, (so) we are making it in time being," said Sales Manager of the Hotel in Jayapura, Dedy Arisanti.
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Other preparations that have been made include the addition of equipment such as bucket baths, dipper for those with disabilities, and also handrails in some locations deemed risky.
The complete supporting facilities are now provided in 39 hotels and inns as well as athletes' homestays in Jayapura City and District to accommodate 3,500 athletes and officials.
"Our problem is that in Papua there are often hotels that do not have access for people with disabilities. But thanks to our coordination, hotels are willing to help," Grand Management Papua National Paralympic Week Accommodation Coordinator John Mahumury said.
The government also assisted in all aspects needed during the 16th National Paralympic Week, match equipment, security and transportation designed to be disability-friendly. The aspects of consumption, information technology and publications as well as health also did not go unnoticed.
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Talent
Carrying the theme 'Light from East Papua', this National Paralympic Week brings a line of talented athletes who have won in prestigious national and international championships.
For example, Muhammad Bejita, who is known to the public thanks to his appearance at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Malaysia, won two gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke swimming category in 1 minute 3.6 seconds and 50-meter freestyle swimming in 25.98 seconds.
Another known name is Jendi Panggabean, the gold medalist in the 200 meter swimming race in 2 minutes 33.37 seconds in the ASEAN Para Games which was held in 2017. Panggabean showed up with one leg, after undergoing an amputation due to an accident.
The next athlete with disability is Ni Nengah Widiasih, who appears in the women's weightlifting branch. She has won a number of bronze, silver, and gold medals in national and international competitions, despite being bound in a wheelchair.
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There is Dimas Prasetyo in the badminton branch. Even though he has intellectual disability, it turns out that he was able to bring pride for Indonesia by winning three gold medals at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Papua National Paralympic Week sets the stage for the young athletes to showcase their talent, making their debut against a series of outstanding athletes, as well as being a hope for the Indonesian contingent when participating in international championships.
"The target of National Paralympic Week this time is to achieve a successful regeneration of athletes with disabilities," Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPCI) Rima Ferdianto said in Jayapura on November 3.
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Ferdianto said that the Papua National Paralympic is the right event to find potential athletes. In addition, the event is also an effort to regenerate athletes with disabilities in the country. Because many young athletes are predicted to emerge from various sports branch.
This time, the National Paralympic Week focuses more on regions that have conducted optimal sports coaching for athletes with disabilities. The result of regional government's commitment in developing sports in their area will be clearly seen in this national-scale event.
"We make national and elite categories. Elites are athletes who have won in international competitions. National athlete categories are all those who have experience participating in international events," he said.
The match system arranged in the match will greatly facilitate regeneration. Athletes in the elite category are only allowed to participate in one event.
On the other hand, athletes who are included in the national category can participate more than twice in a the number of matches. The regulation is imposed in order to offer opportunities for athletes with disabilities to develop even better.
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National assets
Presidential Spokesperson for Social Affairs Angkie Yudistia said that the issuance of Presidential Regulation Number 67 of 2020 regarding the terms and procedures for awarding respect, protection, and fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities is President Jokowi's progressive step in respecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Indonesia.
"We welcome National Paralympics Week as a fairly large sporting event. President Jokowi is very concerned about friends with disabilities as the best sons and daughters of Indonesia," she said in Jakarta on November 3.
Yudistia has faith that every person with a disability must have self-potential that can be fostered through sports achievements. The government ensures that no citizen are left behind in any program, and that includes giving the same rights and treatment for 38 million people with disabilities in Indonesia, just like their able-bodied counterparts or general public.
Presidential Regulation Number 67 of 2020 encourages Indonesia to be more disabled-friendly by prioritizing the principle of equality, including in terms of giving bonuses to athletes with disabilities, who are the same as other general athletes.
The government's commitment in coaching athletes with disabilities is also proven through the construction of a fully equipped training center with sports science.
"In the future, the President through the Youth and Sports Ministry is committed to building training centers with complete facilities and sports science. Sports centers will be built in ten provinces in Indonesia," she said.
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Physical limitations are not a barrier to being able to work and score achievements. Even people with disabilities can live independently through sports careers.
National Paralympic Week is a proving grounds for people with disabilities, that they also have the same rights and opportunities as everybody else. The government is also committed to be able to provide the best service for people with disabilities.
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Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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