President Jokowi Gives Cash Bonuses to Asian Games Medalists

President Jokowi distributes cash bonus to the 2018 Asian Games medal-winning athletes at the State Palace, on Sunday (2/9). (Photo: PR Division/Jay)

The Government accelerates distribution of cash bonus to the 2018 Asian Games medalists. Rather than distributing the bonus after the Games is over or the week after, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Sunday (2/9) at the State Palace directly gave the bonus to the athletes even before the  Asian Games closing ceremony starts.

President Jokowi distributed the bonus to 9 (nine) representatives, including three gold medalists (Eko Yuli Irawan from weightlifting, Puspa Harum Sari from Pencak Silat, and Aries Susanti Rahayu from sport climbing), three silver medalists (Ari Wahyuni from weightlifting, Aswat from sport climbing, and Alexander Elbert from soft tennis), and three athletes representing bronze medalists (Nining Purwa Ningsih from cycling, Amri Rusdana from Pencak Silat, and Bunga Nyimas from skateboard).

The amount of the bonus given for the athlete is Rp1.5 billion for individual of gold winner, Rp1 billion each person for the pair/double gold medalist and Rp750 million each person for the gold of team. In the meantime, individual silver medalist get Rp500 million, silver medalist for double get Rp400 million each person and silver medalist for team get Rp300 million each person.

As for individual bronze medalist, they get Rp250 million, and Rp200 million and Rp150 million each person for double bronze and bronze for team respectively.

Not only the athletes, coaches also get cash bonus amounting Rp450 million for individual/double coach for gold, Rp150 million for silver, and Rp75 million for bronze medal. Meanwhile, the team coaches get Rp600 million for gold, Rp200 million for silver, and Rp100 million for bronze. As for each second medal and so on, the coaches get Rp225 million for gold, Rp75 million for silver and Rp37.5 million for bronze. Individual/double assistant coaches also get Rp300 million for gold, Rp100 million for silver and Rp50 million for bronze.

The assistant coaches for team get Rp375 million for gold, Rp125 million for silver and Rp62.5 million for bronze. As for each second medal and so on, the assistant coaches get Rp150 million for gold, Rp50 million for silver and Rp25 million for bronze.

In his remarks, President Jokowi said that Indonesia is proud of the athletes’ achievement, and their fighting spirits in achieving victory.

“Indonesia is proud of the sincerity of the coaches and officials. Indonesia is proud of the dedication of the executives of sport branches,” the President said, adding that this momentum surprises not only Indonesians, but also the public from other countries as Indonesia has successfully won 31 gold from the previous 4 gold medals in the last Asian Games.

President Jokowi told that the public was skeptical about the target of winning 16 gold medals; however, Indonesia proved that it has successfully clinched 98 medals consisting of gold, silver, and bronze from all sport branches. “It is such a leap, huge leap that can serve as a foundation for our upcoming achievements,” the President added.

The President also expressed appreciation for the athletes for training and working very hard since the past few year in preparing themselves for this Games, for breaking their limit, and challenging themselves through trainings, tryouts, and competitions both at home and abroad.

“I know that you were still striving to fight even when your legs gave up. It was for the victory,” the President said, adding that all Indonesians are also grateful for them and welcome their achievements with a heartfelt emotion. “The people appreciate your sacrifices and struggles,” the President added.

President Jokowi went on to say that the country will wait for more achievements from the athletes, and Indonesia thanked them for the history they have made. Therefore, the President admitted that he urged  Minister of Youth and Sports to immediately disburse cash bonuses to the athletes right before the Asian Games closing ceremony.

“If Indonesia adds medals in the afternoon or after this event ends, I will directly give the bonus for the additional medalist(s) here. You never know,” President Jokowi concluded.

Also attending the event were First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his spouse Ibu Mufidah Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi. (FID /ES) (RAS/EP/Naster)