Viral PON Athlete From West Java Returning By Public Bus, Kang Emil: He Wants To Make A Surprise To The Family

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil said that the return of the athlete who won the gold medal in diving PON XX Papua 2021, Dhea Nazhira Nuramalina, by using a public bus was the athlete's choice to surprise his family.

According to Kang Emil, as Ridwan Kamil is called, Dhea does not want to use the vehicle that has been provided by the committee. Because, Dhea did not want his return to be greeted with great fanfare.

"This proud athlete gave a statement that he wanted to surprise his family and did not want his return home to be enlivened by the local government, so he chose to go home by public transportation instead of the one provided by the committee," said Kang Emil in a press release for the West Java Provincial Government Public Relations, Thursday, as reported by Antara.

"However, all of this has been evaluated to the Provincial and City/Regency KONI in order to coordinate more maturely, so that it does not become a prejudice. Keep the spirit for all West Java athletes. Victory is near. God willing," he said.

Previously, gold medal-winning diving athlete at PON XX Papua 2021, Dhea Nazhira, went viral after it was rumored that he had returned to his hometown without receiving a special pick-up from the government.

This happened after a video clip circulating on social media, it was seen that Dhea was accompanied by her mother, Desi Arisandi, who had just arrived in Ciamis City, West Java, carrying luggage. Dhea then said that he departed from Bandung by taking a public bus.

Then came the issue that Dhea did not get the attention of the local government regarding his return after competing to defend West Java at the Papua National Sports Week.

West Java's opportunity to become the overall champion is very wide open. Based on the official website of the West Java KONI on Thursday, October 14 at 08:00 WIB, West Java still topped the medal standings with 125 gold, 97 silver and 114 bronze.

Being in second place in East Java, which has collected 106 gold, 86 silver, and 80 bronze. Meanwhile, DKI Jakarta is in third place with 100 gold, 87 silver and 96 bronze medals.