Watch By Ganjar, Central Java Women's Long Jumping Athlete Achieves The Golden PetSONas

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo provides direct support to athletes with special needs for athletics, who compete in the 2022 National Special Olympics (PeSONas) Week, GOR Tri Competition Juang, Semarang City.

Ganjar's support was even able to make Central Java's PeSONas athlete, Nanda Larasati, win a gold medal in the long jump category without the women's beginning.

Nanda's action was witnessed by Ganjar Pranowo who came with his wife, Siti Atikoh. The shout of enthusiasm from Ganjar added to Nanda's motivation. His jump as far as 1.82 meters was enough to outperform other finalists, and recorded his name in the history of PeSONas.

As is known, PeSONas 2022 is the first event held by SOIna, as a forum for competition for athletes with special needs in Indonesia. It is hoped that from this event, outstanding athletes will emerge, and then they can represent Indonesia in international events.

"It's amazing. They with all their specialties, very special, can compete. Of course it encourages their motivation to achieve very high performance," said Ganjar Pranowo in a statement quoted from the official website of the Central Java Provincial Government, Thursday, July 7.

Ganjar specifically conveyed his respects to all the athletes who competed. Not only that, his respect was also addressed to the companions who were very patient in encouraging the athletes to want to compete.

I also respect, respect, not only for the athletes, but also for his companions who are very patient, very diligent, to encourage them to compete. They (PeSONas athlete) specifically need treatment and they can excel. How proud they were when they got the medal. The main thing is this SOIna," said Ganjar in his statement.

At the Juang Tri Competition, Ganjar had time to go around to see athletes from various categories of competing athletics. He continued to shout encouragement to athletes from various regions, in order to get the best results.

The presence of Ganjar and his wife in the arena actually sucked up the public interest and the PeSONas contingent from various regions. One of them is a long jump athlete without the beginning of the daughter of West Nusa Tenggara. After the match, the athlete numbered 127 seemed moved when he saw the figures of Ganjar Pranowo and Siti Atikoh standing on the sidelines. Assisted by the committee, the NTB athlete then approached and asked Ganjar and Atikoh to hug him.

"O, from NTB. cheer up. Hope you get a medal," said Ganjar, while hugging the athlete with special needs.

Meanwhile, PeSONas' first event also received support from the community. For example, Roni, who came all the way from West Sumatra to support his nephew in competing in the Juang Tri Competition. He hopes that the PeSONas event can continue to be held in the following years.

"Good. This is the first, continue second and so on. These are children with special needs, so they are motivated to be better at the spirit of being champions. I'm between nephews who jumped far. While here, our children are served well too," he said.