Pity Dozens Of PON Athletes From Maluku Abandoned At Pattimura Airport, Deputy DPRD: Show Respect, They Are Sports Heroes!

Athletes from Maluku (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Maluku Regional House of Representatives, Abdul Asis Sangkala, regretted the incident of dozens of rowing athletes and their officials who were stranded at Pattimura International Airport after the heroes of this sport presented six medals for Maluku.

"It is very unfortunate that an incident like this can happen, even though they are sports heroes for Maluku. The provincial government, Regional House of Representatives and all Maluku people must show respect for their struggle to make the region proud in the Papua PON (National Sports Week) event", said Abdul as quoted by Antara, Thursday.

According to him, this positive respect must be shown at least by picking up at the airport and holding a banquet.

"I think the local government should explain this issue to the people, and we hope the athletes will not be discouraged because they are in the hearts of the people", said Abdul.

He also hopes that the local government will immediately hold a banquet and hand over the bonuses that have been agreed with the Regional House of Representatives in the discussion of the Revised APBD (State Budget) some time ago.

Meanwhile, the member of Commission IV of the Maluku Regional House of Representatives, Andi Munaswir, expressed his concern and sadness about the incident.

"They are regional sports heroes who are successful and consistent in making achievements, but are not noticed", said Andi.

The man who is also a member of the Working Committee of Dr. M Haulussy Hospital Ambon, while in Bekasi City, West Java, admitted that he often saw many billboards thanking local athletes.

"The local government is very responsive to the athletes who have contributed to the name of their region in the Papua PON, but what happened to the PON athletes in Maluku was the opposite", said Andi.