KOI Proposes To Give Quarantine Authority With Different Policies For Athletes From Overseas

The chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari (left) gave a high-five with the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari proposed to the government to give discretion regarding quarantine for sports players who came from abroad.

The discretion in question is in the form of the authority to undergo quarantine with different policies, including quarantine by applying the bubble system commonly used in sports championships, including the series of Indonesia Badminton Festival in Bali, November-December last year.

Oktohari explained that the policy was necessary because the limited access to exercise during the long quarantine affected the athletes' stamina and performance.

"KOI sees the quarantine period as having a major impact on athletes' fitness. We received input from national sports federations who had undergone quarantine, their access was limited and they could not train optimally. Apart from not being allowed to leave the room, quarantine hotels do not necessarily have training facilities, "said Oktohari quoted from Antara, Tuesday.

Okto, Raja Sapta's nickname, has submitted the proposal to the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali regarding biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia at the organization of international sporting events in Indonesia and the participation of Indonesian athletes in every international sporting event.

"We convey to the Menpora for discretion. They will remain in quarantine, but maybe with a bubble system. So athletes who have just returned from overseas matches can train to maintain their fitness because it is impossible for athletes not to train for days," said Okto.

"Quarantine discretion is also needed for sports players who will be involved in international events, both athletes, coaches, officials, both in preparation and during game times," he continued.

Indonesia has a busy sporting agenda this year, including MotoGP, the IESF 14th Esports World Championships, the Rock Climbing World Cup, and the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open badminton tournaments.

The Red and White athletes are also scheduled to take part in five multi-event agendas, namely the Hanoi SEA Games (12-23 May), the Konya Islamic Solidarity Games (9-18 August), the Hangzhou Asian Games (10-25 September), and the Shantou Asian Youth Games (20-28 December). There is also a plan for Indonesia to host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games.

Meanwhile, Menpora Zainudin Amali accepted the proposal regarding quarantine discretion. He is ready to facilitate the KOI meeting with BNPB and the Ministry of Health to discuss the issue.

“We understand what KOI said. We will arrange a meeting to discuss this further," he said.

The government previously emphasized that there was no quarantine discretion for foreign travelers (PPLN). Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the quarantine policy would refer to the applicable instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs.

"We can't give more discretions because we only refer to the existing instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs. Earlier, the President reminded us that later we will not be disciplined and the key to seeing Omicron develop in any world is a matter of discipline," said Luhut, quoted on the official website of the Presidential Secretariat.

The government also decided to impose a 10-day and 7-day quarantine. According to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, the quarantine policy depends on the country of origin of the PPLN.