Minister Speaks of Athlete's Absence in SEA Games' Parade

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Youth and Sports Minister (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo confirmed news about an Indonesian SEA Games swimming athlete who refused to fully participate in the winner’s parade. The athlete was I Gede Siman Sudartawa, who expressed his disappointment against the lead of the parade. 

According to initial reports, Siman’s main setback was that other Indonesian athletes competing in the SEA Games had to wait a lengthy amount of time before the parade could start, which was delayed until the arrival of the U-22 Football National Team. 

The winner’s parade was initially scheduled to start at 08:00 local Jakarta time but was delayed for forty minutes as the national football team’s arrival was hampered by major traffic congestion, which mostly comprises fans who wanted to see their athletes up close. 

“Well, Siman the swimming athlete is my friend. I think everything went great in the beginning as we have prepared the Youth and Sports Ministry's front yard for exciting events which also featured JKT48, Marshall, Dustin, there were DJs too. Everyone was happy,” said Minister Dito on Friday, May 19, 2023.

"But indeed, because we were waiting for the football athletes, we finally decided to start the event right away. It turned out that there was a disappointment from the swimming athlete Siman. But that was not what we intended, because today we are actually appreciating them," said Dito.

The Minister that the parade of SEA Games athletes was the first to have ever been done. "This is a new culture we want to introduce,” said Dito in terms of paying equal respect to other athletes apart from football.

RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH

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