"I welcome fellow athletes who dare to speak up and take a stand in politics and show their concern for our democracy development ahead," he stated after casting his vote at Polling Station (TPS) No. 61 in Cipinang, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Many ex-athletes, especially from the tennis sport, are participating as legislative candidates in the 2024 election. One of them is former woman tennis player, Yayuk Basuki, who is running for a seat in the Yogyakarta political district (Dapil).
Meanwhile, ex-badminton athlete Harijanto Arbi is contesting in Jakarta Dapil 3 and Olympic badminton gold medalist Taufik Hidayat in West Java Dapil 2.
From the football sport, Bio Pauline is contesting in Dapil 4 in Abepura; former coach of Sleman Football Club, Seta Nurdiyantara, in Yogyakarta Dapil; and former coach of the Indonesia U-23 national team, Rahmad Darmawan, in Lampung.
"The election and political parties are a forum and an organization that does not see professions and social status. In this forum, all generations, professions, and entire economic (groups) can join and meet to give their appreciation and show care for the country," Ariotedjo said.
The 33-year-old minister said that if elected, former athletes will greatly benefit national sports because they will make policies based on their own experience.
"They will certainly give advantages to the sports world. (Former) coaches, athletes, and federation board members who join politics; their policies will be based on their point of view, experience, and needs that are on-target," he explained.
Related news: Prabowo-Gibran pair wins at Gambir polling station where Jokowi voted
Related news: Former president Yudhoyono casts vote in hometown in East Java
Related news: Anies-Muhaimin win at polling station where Anies cast his vote : KPPS
Translator: Zaro S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
