Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia When Received Athletes participating in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, At the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java 17 September 2021

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greeting of virtue.

Distinguished Minister of State Secretary;

Distinguished Minister of Youth and Sports;

Distinguished Chair of NPC (National Paralympic Committee), my friend, Senny Marbun;

Distinguished Chef de Mission, Andi Herman;

Indonesian Contingent and Athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Alhamdulillah, thank God, all members of contingent participated in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics have returned to Indonesia safe and sound. All Indonesians and I gladly and proudly welcome your arrival. We also would like to express our highest appreciation for your fight, hard work, and achievement that make a good name for the country.

As previously mentioned by the Minister of Youth and Sports, the number of medals bagged from this Paralympics is considered a leap compared to that of the previous one. Once again, I congratulate the athletes, coaches, officials, Chef de Mission, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, and all parties whose names I can’t mention one by one.

Thank you for winning gold medals from badminton. It’s not only one gold medal but two. It’s a leap which proved your competences in global arena. I also would like to congratulate silver and bronze medalists.

As a token of appreciation to you, the Government handed out cash bonuses; Rp5.5 billion to gold medalist Rp5.5 billion, Rp2.5 billion to silver medalist, and Rp1.5 billion to bronze medalist. Other athletes who did not win a medal and their coaches will also receive bonuses. However, I will not announce the amount right now; Minister of Sports and Youth who will do it.

I hope this achievement can inspire us, motivate us, both athletes and people in general, to work hard at achieving target, and to give the best for the nation and country.

Don’t stop training yourself, remember that the upcoming Paralympics will be held in France in just three more years, in 2024. I hope that Indonesia can surpass this year’s achievement during the 2024 Paralympics.

That concludes my remarks.

I thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (RAS/LW)