Wednesday, August 31, 2016

OWI, BUTET RETURN HOME TO HEROES' WELCOME by Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 31, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesian shuttlers Tantowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir who secured a gold medal for their country at the 2016 Rio Olympics were given a heroes' welcome on arrival.
         They have made the Indonesian people proud by winning the gold medal for the country on the day when the nation celebrated the 71st anniversary of independence.
         Moreover, the gold medal came from badminton, which is the most popular sport in the nation, with a population of over 250 million.
         Tontowi, popularly known as Owi, his partner, Liliyana alias Butet, defeated the Malaysian pair Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying in the badminton mixed doubles final in straight games, 21-14, 21-12, in Rio de Janeiro, on August 17, 2016.
         "I am thankful to Allah SWT. This is the most beautiful gift to us and all Indonesian people on the occasion of Independence Day. Thank you for all the support," Owi noted.   
    "Playing on Independence Day, in fact, boosted our energy and spirits to deliver our best," Butet remarked.

         Butet and Owi had worked hard to realize their dream and were the world champions in 2013 and the All England champions for three consecutive years in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
        Crowds of well-wishers gathered to greet the duo when they joined a parade along the main streets of Jakarta recently as well as on arrival in their hometowns.

          Aboard an open-top bus called the Bandros, Butet and Owi, accompanied by Indonesian Olympic silver medalist weightlifters Eko Yuli Irawan and Sri Wahyuni, waved out to the crowds that welcomed them with small national flags along the streets of Jakarta.
        The athletes departed from the Youth and Sports Ministry's Office and were escorted by police vehicles and several Harley Davidson bikes cruising along the General Sudirman Street and MH Thamrin Street before arriving at the Presidential Palace to meet the head of state.
        Indonesia closed the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil at 46th rank, with one gold from badminton and two silver medals from weightlifting.
          The government has promised huge cash prizes to Indonesian athletes who won medals at the 2016 Olympics.
           Owi and Butet will each be given a cash bonus of Rp5 billion (roughly US$380 thousand) for bringing home a gold medal from the Olympics.
         The Indonesian Badminton Association has also vowed to give them bonuses.
          Meanwhile, the weightlifters will each be offered a cash bonus of Rp2 billion (roughly $150 thousand) for the silver medals.
          Moreover, the Indonesian Weightlifting and Body Building Association will give a house to each silver medalist.
         The government has also promised Olympic medal winners a monthly lifetime allowance starting from Rp20 million for the gold medalist, Rp15 million for the silver medalist, and Rp10 million for the bronze medalist. 
   On returning to her hometown in Manado, North Sulawesi, Butet once again received a hero's welcome from local well-wishers and officials.

         The governor of North Sulawesi has awarded a house to Butet for her achievement.
        Born in Manado, on September 19, 1985, Butet was taken across the city in a parade upon her arrival at the local Ratulangi airport, Manado, where scores of supporters had lined up to welcome her.
         Butet was taken around in a parade along several of the city's main streets, including Walanda Maramis, Martadinata, and Lumintut.
         Along the way, there were screams from several community members who were waiting to welcome Butet by calling out her name.
          Mecky Onibala, one of the well-wishers, expressed pride on Butet's achievement, which he termed as extraordinary.
         Another supporter Jhon said he had specially come to the airport to welcome Butet and personally see the champion who had helped boost Indonesia's reputation at the international level.
         Butet was the world champion in 2005, 2007, and 2013 and the Asian champion in 2006 and 2015.
         Meanwhile, Owi and his family decided to spend their holidays in Jepara, Central Java, and stay in a beach-view hotel belonging to his father-in-law.
         Upon his arrival in Jepara, Owi was welcomed by Jepara District Head Ahmad Marzuki on Aug. 29. Owi was born in Banyumas, also in Central Java Province, on July 18, 1987. 
    Marzuki expressed gratitude to Owi for the gold medal and hoped that his extraordinary achievement would inspire and motivate scores of young shuttlers in Jepara.

         From Jepara, he planned to visit Kudus, where his sponsor for participation in the Olympics, cigarette company PT Djarum, had planned to organize a parade around the town for Owi.
         Owi, who had first learnt badminton from his father as a child, won the world championship in 2013 and the Asian championship in 2015 as well as bagged two gold medals in the 2011 SEA Games.
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(f001/INE/O001)
EDITED BY INE


(T.F001/A/BESSR/O. Tamindael) 31-08-2016 14:02:10

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