Good News For Former Badminton Player Verawaty Fajrin, Visited By Erick Thohir And Received Rp350 Million In Assistance From BNI

SOE Minister, Erick Thohir together with former badminton athlete Verawaty Fajrin (Photo: Instagram @erickthohir)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir gave his support to former badminton player Verawaty Fajrin who was undergoing treatment at Dharmais Hospital, Jakarta due to lung cancer.

While visiting the badminton world champion, Wednesday, September 21, Erick, who came with BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar, advised Verawaty to focus on efforts to restore health so that she could return to playing tennis, a sport she does every morning.

"Get well soon, Mbak Vera. Don't think too much about what is too heavy. God willing, BNI and the government will help with the difficulties you are experiencing. Just focus on treatment so that you can really recover and be able to return to playing tennis every morning," said Erick in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Thursday, September 22.

Erick recalled the moment when Verawaty was appointed by him to be the Chief Executive of the 2018 Asian Games. He also had the honor of handing over the torch to President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the commemoration of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 2018 at the State Palace.

Erick said that Verawaty had contributed to bringing pride to the Indonesian nation in various international championships. Government assistance, according to him, is not comparable to the achievements that have been made by the 1978 Asian Games gold winner.

On that occasion, BNI, which is the main sponsor of the badminton branch, also contributed Rp350 million to Verawaty.

Verawaty had previously undergone chemotherapy at Friendship Hospital. However, because his condition did not improve, he was transferred to Dharmais Hospital.

After her condition improved again, Vera had time to go home, but a few days ago her condition worsened again. He was rushed back to Dharmais Hospital. However, the former women's singles world champion is only a BPJS Class 2 card holder so she has to wait in the transit room because the HCU is full.

However, he has now received assistance from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to undergo intensive treatment. All costs and facilities provided to Verawaty will be assisted by the government as directed by President Joko Widodo.

Verawaty is an Indonesian badminton legend. He has won 12 SEA Games gold medals throughout his career.

She has also won a gold medal in the women's doubles event in the Asian Games which she won in 1978. She is also listed as a world champion twice, namely in 1980 (women's singles) and 1986 (mixed doubles), which made her name even more on the world stage.