Calls WADA Sanction Waiver Has Impacted Many Things, Senny Marbun: We Can Focus More On Preparing Athletes For International Events

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Senny Marbun appreciates the government's hard work, in this case the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) and the WADA Sanctions Acceleration Settlement Task Force, so that the Red and White can return to flying on the international stage.

"The Indonesian NPC is very happy with the lifting of the sanctions from WADA. We thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the WADA Sanctions Acceleration Settlement Task Force team who have struggled to free Indonesia from WADA sanctions," said Senny Marbun quoted from Antara, Saturday, February 5.

According to Senny, Indonesia's release from the WADA Sanctions has an impact on many things, including Indonesia's preparations to host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG).

"With the exemption of WADA sanctions, Indonesian NPCs can focus more on preparing athletes for international events and preparations for hosting the 2022 ASEAN Para Games," Senny added.

Indonesia has a series of agendas to participate in various international sporting events. In fact, this year's Mother Earth will also host the 2022 APG to replace Vietnam, which withdrew.

The plan is that the sports event for Southeast Asia's largest athlete with disabilities will be held in Solo on July 20-31, 2022.

Previously, Indonesia's status was as a Conditional Host, now it will change to the Official Host or the official host of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games.

In the near future, NPCI will increase the intensity of coordination with the ASEAN Para Sport Federation (APSF) to discuss preparations for APG 2022. It is planned that on Sunday or tomorrow, APSF will hold an internal meeting to discuss Indonesia's current status after the lifting of sanctions from WADA.

After that, on February 8, APSF will hold a virtual meeting with Indonesian NPCs to discuss the draft host contract and details on the implementation of the 2022 APG.

"Indonesia's preparations for the APG are getting more serious with a meeting with the chairman of the Paralympic National Committee of Southeast Asian countries on February 17 to determine the finalization of sports at the 2022 APG," said Secretary General of NPC Indonesia Rima Ferdianto.

Meanwhile, the para-badminton athlete who won two gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the women's and mixed doubles sector, Leani Ratri Oktila, also welcomed the lifting of the WADA sanction.

"Finally, the Indonesian sanctions were lifted by WADA. As athletes who defend Indonesia's name in international events, the lifting of these sanctions is very important because it can increase the enthusiasm of athletes in competing," said Ratri.

"I thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Task Force for the Acceleration of Sanctions Settlement. Honestly, as an athlete, this WADA sanction exemption can help improve our mentality when competing on the field," he added.