Thirteen athletes joined the Provincial Para games in Denpassar that took place from 26-29 October and competed with  athletes from all regencies in Bali.

The Rotary Club of bali Lovina contribute Rp2,000,000 to help wit the costs of participating in this games event.

Their medal tally was

 They Buleleng athletes set 2 new records in throwing the shot put, and four athletes will be able to join the national Para Games in Sumatra next year. 

It was only last year that Buleleng inaugurated a regional body promoting sports for people with a disability. This organization called Badan Pembina Olahraga Cacat (BPOC) Buleleng and is the first one of its kind in North Bali. It will be chaired by I Komang Sarira. 

In just over 12 months, Komang has progressed to this stage where he can get a team of 13 competing, and winning in Denpasar 

Komang Sarira has come a long way. Born with a handicap to both of his hands, Komang was sent home by his primary school teacher who told him that “there is nothing for you to learn in school since you cannot hold a pencil”.

This experience encouraged Komang to continue his education no matter what, even if he had to be his own teacher. It also encouraged Komang at a later age to set up a foundation for disabled people called Yayasan Bali Sejahtera. This foundation is located in Sumberkima in West Bali, and provides skills training programs for disabled people. The aim is that through training programs handicapped people will develop skills that can help them to find jobs and thus achieve economic independence. This way people are no longer disabled but rather dif-abled (people with different abilities). Komang also concentrated on organizing sports activities for handicapped people.

As an active outdoors sportsman and scuba diver, Komang believes that sport is good for both the body and the mind of people. He worked as a trekking and dive guide in the West Bali National Park and as an athlete won 6 golden and 2 silver medals at the Indonesian Paralympics over the years. The Provincial Government’s organization for sports for the disabled in Bali recognized Komang’s experience and abilities and invited him to follow a course to become a government worker in this field. The idea was that Komang would find a workplace in Denpasar, however during his training time in Denpasar, Komang started lobbying for a committee to coordinate sports activities for handicapped people that would be based in Singaraja.

And, happily this worked out. North Bali now has its own regional body for sports activities for handicapped people, and the first committee was inaugurated in February. This committee will stay on for a period of five years and is looking forward to getting on with the job! And they should, because the Buleleng area has proved to be a healthy breeding ground for outstanding athletes.

Buleleng athletes have been winners of medals at various levels ranging from regional (PORCADA), national (PEPARNAS), Asia (ASIA PARA GAMES) to the international level (PARALIMPYC GAMES in Vietnam 2003). Buleleng is proud of its athletes and this was noticeable during the inauguration of this new regional body for sports for handicapped people in Singaraja. The atmosphere was one of joy and excitement. The new body stood proud on the stage receiving a long applause. There was also a heartfelt applause for the deaf girls who stole the show with a stunning dance performance.

I Komang Sarira said “In an effort to enhance and create a healthy quality of life, BPOC Buleleng will strive to motivate our brothers and sisters who have a physical or mental weakness, for they should never give up on this life although they have a less perfect condition. No person is perfect and everyone has advantages and disadvantages of their own. That’s what makes our board of BPOC optimistic that everyone has their own personal potential, and using that potential to the fullest will turn around any shortcomings. Armed with the right spirit and attitude to never give up, persons with disabilities in the Buleleng already have grown to be confident enough to join into communal activities, and our athletes will show our nation and the world what we are worth”. For more information on the work of this organzation you can contact Komang Sarire at : 081338718380