TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Sports and Youth, Zainudin Amali, officiated and sent off Indonesian contingent to Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the event held virtually at the ministry's office on Saturday.

"We wish all of us success and God will be with us all," said the minister in the event that held virtually on Saturday, August 14.

Zainudin Amali also told the Indonesian contingent to maximize efforts at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. They did serious preparation before enrolling in the international games amid the pandemic.

"In Tokyo, you're not only representing yourselves, your family, or NPC but you are representing more than 267 million of Indonesian people. You compete in the name of Indonesian nation," he said, hoping that the athlete would show their best performance.

Indonesia will send 23 athletes from seven sports competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Chef de Mission (CdM) of Indonesian Contingent Andi Herman reported that the whole Merah Putih squad consists of 60 people. Besides the athletes, there are 16 coaches and officials, 6 delegations and CdMs, 8 members of supporting team, and 7 from Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo (KBRI Tokyo).

This is the 11th time Indonesia participating in the Paralympics since its debut in Montreal 1976, except for the Barcelona/Madrid Paralympics in 1992.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia continued to do a lot of preparation by conducting national training in Solo since October last year until August 2021.

NPC Indonesia also sent their athletes to join international events to improve their achievements and collect qualification points.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, the Merah Putih squad is targeting one gold and one silver medals from para-badminton. Also three bronzes, each from powerlifting, para-table tennis, and para-athletic.

Antara