Muhadjir Effendy Hopes Sports Equipment For People With Disabilities Doesn't Have To Be Imported

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy (Photo: Irfan Meidianto)

JAKARTA – Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy encourages sports equipment for people with disabilities to be produced domestically.

"The obstacle for paralympic events is the limited equipment needed by athletes. Because it must be specific and customized," said Muhadjir, quoting Antara, Saturday, November 6.

According to Muhadjir, the equipment is customized according to the needs of every athlete and cannot be used by just anyone.

"In fact, it's only for one person. So, it costs a lot," said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

For example, wheelchairs for various sports have different specifications.

"There are all kinds of wheelchairs. The wheelchairs for running, for badminton, for putting the bullets are different. Most of them cannot produce, they are still imported," explained Muhadjir.

According to Muhadjir, Peparnas should be a good momentum to measure the planning for the provision or production of sports equipment for people with disabilities.

So, Muhadjir still said, the development of achievements among people with disabilities will run better because they do not depend on the supply of products from abroad.

"For wheelchairs, the price is at least IDR 50 million per unit, it's customized. So, it can't be used by many people," he added.

If the equipment can be made domestically, Muhadjir believes it will be much cheaper and can reduce costs.

"It would be very different if it could be produced in Indonesia, I believe it would be much cheaper. Because one of our obstacles to equalizing the rights of people with disabilities in this sport is the limited equipment or tools that are needed," he said.