The \'Mastermind\' Behind Disabled Athletes

KOMPAS/ERWIN EDHI PRASETYA

Abdul Aziz

The achievement of athletes at the 2018 Asian Para Games cannot be separated from the role that athletic coach Abdul Aziz played. Through his prowess, he has helped make great athletes. Together with members and administrators of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), the former national athlete is fighting for the protection and appreciation of disabled athletes through Law No. 3/2005 concerning the national sports system.

Being accepted

For Aziz, the Games were the most memorable sporting event ever. At the event, Aziz’s hopes of seeing disabled athletes being accepted and receiving a warm welcome from the spectators were realized. In Jakarta, the athletes who usually do not usually perform in front of spectators, could feel the atmosphere, bask in the adulation of all Indonesians and inspired disabled athletes all over Asia.

This was totally different when Indonesia first hosted the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) in 1986 and the 2011 ASEAN Para Games in Surakarta, Central Java. At the two events, the spectators were always quiet.

Appearing before the public at home, the “red and white” fulfilled their ambitions to be ranked in Asia’s top five. Strengthened by 295 athletes from 18 sporting codes, the team won 37 gold, 47 silver and 51 bronze medals. Aziz should deservedly be proud because the athletes he led contributed six gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals.

On the last day of the Games, they added two more medals, with Rasyidi taking bronze in the long jump (T44/62/64) and the universal 4x100 meters relay team consisting of Putri Aulia, Karisma Evi Tiarani, Sapto Yogo Purnomo and Jaenal Aripin also claiming bronze.

Victories by the Indonesian athletes at the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Jakarta were met with thunderous applause, with about 7,000 spectators chanting, “Indonesia! Indonesia!” On the field, coaches and athletes were moved, proud and happy because they were making history.

Aziz was beaming. There was a sense of satisfaction, joy and relief on his face. The last race ended at 11 p.m. and after that, Aziz -- together with a number of other coaches -- relaxed in the training arena listening to music. He looked satisfied especially after the athletes exceeded their target of three gold medals.

Various roles

As the coach of disabled athletes, Aziz’s duties range from making sure that they reach their targeted goals and taking care of equipment to administrative work ahead of competitions. During the Games, Aziz went to bed after 2 a.m. and slept only for two to three hours because he had to help athletes prepare for the next race.

He is one of the “masterminds” behind disabled athletes’ struggle because he knows about the highs and lows of being a disabled athlete, having been one from 1982 to 1996. Aziz has competed in empty stadiums and getting zero support from the government. In fact, both disabled and non-disabled athletes fight to fly the red and white flag at international championships.

After retiring from athletics, Aziz heeded a call to help those with special needs. He became an athletics and soccer coach in 2000 and started recruited athletes from the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Rehabilitation Center.

Aziz’s firmness produced several star athletes. The athletes he coached were initially clueless about the sports they were competing in but he molded them into stars. From Aziz’s hands came, among others, long jumper Setiyo Budihartanto and wheelchair racers Doni Yulianto and Jaenal Aripin.

Under his guidance, people with disabilities, who initially felt hopeless and thought that they had no future, became more confident and independent.

In 2011, Aziz started training wheelchair racers. At that time, he served as chairman of the Central Java NPC Achievement Guidance Center. “I had a mission to defeat West Java at the National Paralympic Week,” he said.

Aziz then recruited people in wheelchairs to become athletes. With welding tools, he installed additional wheels in the front of wheelchairs that were used for racing. Discipline and relying on creativity in training led the Central Java Paralympic team to become the overall champions at the Riau Paralympics in 2012. Furthermore, Aziz honed the skills of athletes to compete at Southeast Asian level and the world.

One of his athletes, Jaenal Aripin (T54), is now in the top 10 for the 100 m and 200 m events. Recently, Jaenal won a gold medal at the 2018 World Championship. Aziz also trains long jumper Setiyo Budihartanto who won medals for Indonesia at the ASEAN Para Games in Manila, the Philippines in 2005 as well as the Asian Para Games in 2014 and in 2018.

After retirement

Aziz said he never thought he would take part in sports. After leaving an Islamic boarding school in Jombang, he joined the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Rehabilitation Center to hone his skills. There, he was directed to become an athlete at the Disability Sports Trustees Foundation (YPOC). When he became an athlete, Aziz won a gold medal in the 800 m event at the 1986 FESPIC Games Championship.

After retiring from athletics, Aziz felt a need to contribute more to the country. “I have views on how to raise the dignity of the disabled people through sports,” he said.

He added that disabled athletes now get better support and were appreciated all over the country. “In the past, if you wanted to take part in various championships, the budget was already used up to make uniforms. Now, there is a budget for plane tickets, uniforms, shoes and pocket money,” he said.

Disabled athletes get bonuses on par with able-bodied athletes. They also get guarantees like being appointed as civil servants so that their welfare is guaranteed.

“In the past, it was hard to find athletes. When invited to practice soccer, they asked if there was money for them. Now, many athletes are even competing to join the NPC,” he said.

KOMPAS/ERWIN EDHI PRASETYA

Abdul Aziz

Born: Jombang, East Java, Dec. 18, 1964

Jobs:

Coordinator of Sports Department, NPC; Chief athletics trainer at the 2018 Asian Para Games

Coaching experience:Coaching athletes for ASEAN Para Games 2001 to the present;Chairman of athletes coaching at the NPC Central Java from 2007 to 2011; Owner of the BKR Racing Club in Surakarta, Central Java, from 2007 to the present.