President Jokowi Hands Over Bonus for 2023 ASEAN Para Games

Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Monday handed over bonus for athletes, coaches, and assistant coaches who have secured the title of overall champion of the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia. He also appreciated their efforts for Indonesia.

“The nation, the state, and the people are very proud of all of you for securing the overall champion title in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games. This is the third time in a row. Once again, thank you,” he said during a ceremony held at the front yard of Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

At the 2023 ASEAN Para Games, the Indonesian contingent bagged 158 gold medals, 148 silver medals, and 95 bronze medals.

For this achievement, the Government gave them a total bonus of IDR 320.5 billion, with gold medalists receiving IDR 525 million, silver medalists receiving IDR 315 million, and bronze medalists receiving IDR 157.5 million.

The President also urged the athletes to use the bonus for long-term investments.

“Do not use it to buy luxury goods. Buy goods for long-term investments because the amount is huge. IDR 525 million for gold medalists. That is not a small amount, especially for an athlete who won multiple medals, whom I saw in front of me. It means that the bonus needs to be invested well and properly,” he stated.

Moreover, the President reminded the athletes to continue to train hard and improve their achievements.

“Thank you for being a real example that hard work in making achievements does matter. It brings glory to the nation and the state,” he remarked.

Previously, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo pointed out that 237 out of 268 Indonesian athletes who competed in Cambodia managed to win a medal.

“(As many as) 126 athletes won gold medals, 91 bagged silver medals, and 20 won bronze medals. The average age of the athletes is 26 years old and 19 percent of them are under 22 years old,” he said.