Jakarta: Indonesia’s World No. 8 men’s singles player, Jonatan Christie thanked President – Joko Widodo and Minister of Youth and Sports – Zainudin Amali after the government has awarded Rp. 10 billion (USD $703k) as the bonus for the Indonesian men’s team for winning the 2020 Thomas Cup.
“Praise to God, thank you Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Menpora for the award for us. Also grateful that other sports have also received the awards they deserved as well,” Christie wrote on his personal Instagram page on Tuesday.
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The Ministry of Youth and Sports officially gave the bonuses to the Chairperson of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Agung Firman Sampurna at the Wisma Kemenpora, in Jakarta, on Monday.
Christie also said that he would distribute 50% of the bonus he received to former Indonesian athletes who were less fortunate than them.
“Some time ago I made a promise that if I get the bonus from the government, I would give 50 percent of the award I received to former athletes who were less fortunate than athletes of today,” he wrote his social media page.
The 2018 Asian Games men’s singles gold medalist also asked Indonesian fans for help to inform himself which former athletes deserved help from him.
“Please, if anyone knows who they are and knows where to contact them, please write in the comments below,” Christie wrote.
“And if possible, please include their active period and their achievements as an athlete when representing Indonesia on the international stage,” added Christie.
Jojo’s statement on social media immediately received a lot of positive responses from the public, including a former national badminton player Hariyanto Arbi.
“Amazing Jo” wrote Arbi, with a thumbs-up emoji.
