UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho send-off the athletes of National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) XVI on Friday (22/10/2021). In the offline ceremony held in Ruang Sidang IV dr. Prakosa Building UNS, Prof. Jamal send-off five Paralympics athletes from three different faculties: Faculty of Sports (FKOR), Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), and Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP). The five athletes are Nanda Mei Sholikah (FKOR), Marcelino Saputra (FKOR), Figo Saputra (FKOR), Ni Made Ariyanti Putri (FKIP), and Karisma Evi Tiarani (FISIP).
These five athletes will compete for different provinces; one athlete represents East Java Province, one athlete represents Bali Province, and three athletes represent Central Java. These athletes will compete with other national-level athletes in Peparnas that will be held on 2-15 November 2021 in Papua.
The send-off ceremony was held simultaneously with the awarding ceremony for UNS athletes who brought medals from the National Sports Week (PON) XX 2021. The Rector of UNS hopes PON athletes’ achievements could motivate Peparnas athletes to achieve equal or even higher achievements.
“I hope the achievements accomplished by PON XX Papua could spread vigors for Peparnas 2021 athletes so that the five athletes could become a champion, and I hope everyone wins a gold medal,” Prof. Jamal stated.
Peparnas is a sporting event equal to PON specialized for athletes with disabilities. UNS athletes brought home three golds, three silvers, and two bronzes from PON XX, and for the achievement, the Rector granted IDR 4.5 million development funds for gold medalists, IDR 3.5 million for silver medalists, and IDR 2.5 million for bronze medalists. All medalists received free tuition fees for their study, and free study up to a Doctoral degree for gold medalists and to master degree for silver medalists. Similar rewards are promised for all athletes who come home with a medal from Peparnas XVI.
“Government policies to reward athletes at Olympics, PON, and other competitions are equals. Thus, if in Peparnas you win gold, silver, and bronze, InsyaAllah UNS will apply the same policy in terms of rewards granted to PON medalists,” Prof. Jamal emphasized. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti