JAKARTA. The Indonesian heroes and heroines of the recently ended Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, received a memorable welcome as they touched down back home on Tuesday.
Gold medalists Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, along with eight other shuttlers in the badminton squad, landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, a water salute welcoming their aircraft on the apron.
As the group walked into the terminal, a crowd of hundreds containing family, Youth and Sports Ministry officials, fans and journalists cheered them to the rafters.
“We thank you all. We are grateful for landing safe and sound today after two days of travel [from Rio]. We’re moved and feel proud,” said Liliyana, who won gold alongside mixed doubles partner Tontowi, at a press conference.
Both Tontowi and Liliyana said they hoped their achievements could motivate younger shuttlers to aim high.
“I hope our struggle will inspire others and that junior athletes will follow in our footsteps,” said Tontowi.
The parents of Tontowi and Liliyana expect the dynamic duo to enjoy a lengthy holiday after their achievements in the Copacabana fete.
It was the second heroes’ welcome for Tontowi and Liliyana, who were celebrated after winning at the 2013 World Championship, along with men’s doubles pair Hendra Setiawan and Muhammad Ahsan.
Silver medalists Sri Wahyuni Agustiani and Eko Yuli Irawan, who arrived in Jakarta on Aug. 14, took part in Tuesday’s welcoming event. At the Rio Games, Sri was runner-up in the women’s 48 kg, Eko in the men’s 62 kg.
The parade began as the Olympians hopped on Bandros, an open-top double-decker bus provided by the Bandung administration. The convoy went from the airport to the sports ministry in the Senayan area of Jakarta.
Showing off their precious medals, Tontowi, Liliyana, Sri and Eko waved from the the upper deck, accompanied by Indonesian chef de mission Raja Sapta Oktohari and Youth and Sports minister Imam Nahrawi.
The Bandros route took the toll road from the airport and exited at Slipi. The bus headed to Senayan, passing by FX Mall and the Semanggi junction before reaching the ministry on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda.
By the time the Olympians arrived, thousands of people had already packed the sports ministry complex, continuing the celebration with fireworks and nasi tumpeng, or cone-shaped yellow rice with side dishes – traditional delights for celebratory events.
The Rio medalists will enjoy exciting awards from the government and sports federations, with the sports ministry set to hand over a tax-free Rp 5 billion (US$378,200) bonus for each gold medalist, as well as Rp 2 billion for each silver medalist.
The government will also give monthly allowances of Rp 20 million for a gold medalist and Rp 15 million for a silver medalist.
From the sports federations, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) will provide bonuses of Rp 1 billion each for Tontowi and Liliyana. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) has promised to award Sri and Eko with new houses.
On Wednesday morning, the welcome parade will continue as the Olympians are set to meet with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace at 10 a.m.
Indonesia saw similar parades to welcome home-grown champions in 1958, when the nation won the Thomas Cup, and in 1992 when Alan Budikusuma and Susi Susanti won gold medals in the men’s singles and women’s singles badminton, respectively.
