Minister: Indonesian Paralympian not totally failed

Source: Xinhua | 09-15-2008 16:13

JAKARTA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian sport and youth minister Adyaksa Dault denied total failure of Indonesian Paralympians at Beijing.

"That was a world event, and participated by world athletes with all world level resources, so it is no wonder that we still could not compete with them perfectly," Dault told Xinhua on Monday.

Yet, the Indonesian Paralympians were not so bad without any medal earned during the Beijing Paralympic Games. "We are still much better than athletes from all member countries of ASEAN," he said.

He mentioned Indonesian swimmer Lamri who was in the first rank among other ASEAN Paralympian. "He broke the record, his rank improved in Beijing. He is still young, 21 years old," he added.

Lamri was the gold medalist in both Fespic Games IX Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2006 and ASEAN Para Games IV Nakhonratchasima, Thailand 2008. He was one of the Indonesian Paralympians who were sent to Beijing besides power lifter Billy Zeith Makal and wheelchair tennis player Ida Yany excluding three coaches, one doctor, and chief de mission.

Indonesian contingent who was headed by Kusnan Ismukanto has been scheduled to arrive in Jakarta today, at least tomorrow.

Editor:Zhang Ning