UNS — The Tokyo Paralympic 2020 officially closed on Sunday (5/9/2021). In this world’s most prominent sports for disability championship, Indonesia finished at 43rd with two golds, three silvers, and four bronzes. The two gold medals were achieved by women-doubles para-badminton athletes Leani Ratri Oktila/Khalimatus Sadiyah and mixed doubles team Hery Susanto/Leani Ratri Oktila.
This success is inseparable from the role of Dr. Sapta Kunta Purnama, M.Pd., who currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Sports (FKOR) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta. Dr. Sapta Kunta Purnama, M.Pd., was trusted as trainer and manager of Indonesian para-badminton teams in the Tokyo Paralympic 2020. In the final round for the women-doubles and mixed-doubles championship, Dr. Sapta Kunta was observed to accompanied his trainees from the side of the field and giving them spirit when achieving the highest podium in the event held in Tokyo, Japan.
When contacted by the uns.ac.id team, Dr. Sapta Kunta stated that he was delighted with his trainee’s achievement. The Sports Coaching Education Program faculty member shared that the result matched their gold medals target from Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
“Alhamdulillah Indonesian euphoria is very high. Hopefully, these medals give joy to Indonesian people who are saddened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Even though only for a while, these two- or three-days euphoria could at least ease people’s sadness,” the NPC Indonesia trainer said.
The 53 years old Dean stated that this success results from a long preparation from the athletes. Based on his information, the athletes have trained since 2019 to participate in the canceled ASEAN Paragames 2019 in the Philippines. They then participated in the centralized training from October 2020 in Solo Baru. Their training is not all smooth because the Restriction on Community Activities Implementation (PPKM) in Solo disturbed their training. At the time, Dr. Sapta Kunta had the initiative to ask for a permit from the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, to use the FKOR UNS Sports Center that was just completed as a training site for athlete’s training. Prof. Jamal granted the permit and fully supported the training for the athletes.
“Alhamdulillah the Rector allowed. At last, we could train in FKOR UNS Sports Center. The Rector cares about the athletes. And every day since in Machida to Tokyo, he always calls me to ask the development here (Tokyo),” the Boyolali born faculty member stated.
This achievement is the result of hard works from athletes, trainers, and officials. Dr. Sapta Kunta also hopes that this achievement could open a way for people with disabilities to gain equal rights and opportunities. The international event is expected to prove that people with disabilities also have means of sports that they could compete in to bring pride to Indonesia.
Dr. Sapta Kunta and para-badminton team returned to Indonesia on Monday (6/9/2021). After arriving in Jakarta, the Team went through self-quarantine for eight days and was scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo in Istana Negara.
“We received a call from Pak Jokowi. When we go home to Indonesia, we are asked to meet him in Istana, but we need to self-quarantine first for eight days,” he added.
Congratulation to the Indonesia Paralympic athletes. Hopefully, the spirit of sports will continue to spark, and the outstanding tradition will be sustainable. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti