Jokowi Hands Over Bonuses To Olympic Athletes, NOC Chair: Proof That The Government Has Special Attention To Indonesian Sports Achievements

Jokowi handed over bonus for Olympic athletes (Doc. NOC Indonesia)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo handed over a bonus to the Indonesian contingent that will appear at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Bogor Palace, West Java, Friday, August 13. The chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) Raja Sapta Oktohari who was present virtually gave his appreciation for the award given by the government.

"President Joko Widodo has proven for the umpteenth time that he has special attention to Indonesia's sporting achievements on the world stage," said Okto, Raja Sapta's nickname, quoted from an official statement received by VOI.

"This should be an encouragement to all sports stakeholders and the Indonesian NOC will play a more active role in ensuring athletes who have the potential to qualify for the Olympics," he continued.

Okto assessed that the award given by the government could at the same time motivate athletes throughout the country to strive to appear in the Olympics. Remember, the Olympics is the pinnacle of the most prestigious multi-sport event in the world.

"The award given by the government is also in line with the Olympic Charter, that athletes who can appear at the Olympics are indeed different from athletes who appear at the Asian Games or other events. Because, those who appear in this Olympics must pass the qualification which is followed by all athletes in the world, “added Okto.

On that occasion, Jokowi announced that the gold medalists will receive IDR 5.5 billion, silver IDR 2.5 billion and bronze IDR 1.5 billion. This nominal is greater than the award received by the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic medalists.

Bonuses are not only given to medal winners. For the first time, the government also gave awards to Tokyo Olympians (athletes competing in the Olympics). Each athlete gets Rp. 100 million.

The government also gives awards to the trainers. The figure of the coach who delivered the gold medal was entitled to Rp. 2.5 billion, silver to Rp. 1 billion, and bronze to Rp. 600 million. Meanwhile, those who have accompanied athletes in the Olympics received Rp. 100 million.

"This appreciation is also a service that the government has applied the Grand Design for sports achievement development," said Okto, who is also the Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC).