Olympic Medalist Liliyana Natsir Welcomed with Parade in Manado
30 August 2016 06:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Manado - Badminton Olympic gold medalist Liliyana Natsir was given a hero's welcome in her hometown of Manado in North Sulawesi on Monday, August 29, 2016.
She was paraded through the city upon her arrival at the local Ratulangi airport at 2pm from Jakarta.
Lilyana Natsir won the only gold medal for the country along with Tontowi Achmad from a badminton mixed doubles event at the recent Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Several members of the regional board of the Indonesian Badminton Association and regional administration were among those who welcomed her. Among others were the chief of the PBSI North Sulawesi chapter, Jendry Keintjem, secretary of the regional administration, Rachmat Mokodongan, and head of the regional sports affairs, Mecky Onibala.
Lilayana was taken around in a parade along several of the city's main streets, namely Jalan Walanda Maramis, Jl. Martadinata, and Jl. Lumintut.
Along the way, the locals welcomed her with shouting her name.
Mecky Onibala said he was proud of her achievement which he termed an extraordinary.
One of the well-wishers, Jhon, said he had specially come to the airport to welcome her and personally see the champion who had helped boost Indonesia's international reputation.
ANTARA
