JAYAPURA – Acting Regional Secretary of Papua Province, Suzana Wanggai, along with the ranks of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), officially opened the 2025 Papua Province Disability Athlete Talent Scouting event with the theme “Breaking Boundaries” on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Trikora Sports Hall (GOR), Cenderawasih University, Jayapura.

This event is an initiative of the National Paralympic Committee of Indonesia (NPCI) and aims to scout potential disabled athlete talents from various regions across Papua. It is part of the athlete regeneration effort and preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

In her speech, Suzana expressed her appreciation to all participants and the organizing committee. She emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities and space for persons with disabilities to achieve success in sports.

“God is good. All of you here are full of potential. You are amazing, and it’s only a matter of time before you shine. Show that we are all the same, that there is no difference from other athletes, just as today’s theme says: Breaking Boundaries,” said Suzana, greeted with applause from the participants.

Hundreds of Participants from Various Regions and Disability Classifications

The Talent Scouting event was attended by 120 disabled athlete participants from various regions in Papua, with the following breakdown:

• NPCI Jayapura City: 24 participants
• NPCI Jayapura Regency: 37 participants
• NPCI Keerom Regency: 15 participants
• NPCI Biak Regency: 5 participants
• SLB Negeri 1 Kotaraja: 10 participants
• SLB Negeri Pembina Papua Province: 29 participants

The participants' disability classifications include:

• Physical disabilities: 60 individuals
• Visual impairments: 24 individuals
• Intellectual disabilities: 36 individuals

To support the implementation of the event, the organizing committee involved four medical personnel, consisting of three general practitioners and one ophthalmologist, to ensure the health and safety of participants during the selection process.

This Talent Scouting is part of a concrete effort by the Papua Provincial Government in collaboration with NPCI to create an inclusive and sustainable sports ecosystem. In addition to being a platform for athlete recruitment, this program also serves as an empowerment tool for Papuan individuals with disabilities, enabling them to achieve at the national and international levels.

With the spirit of “Breaking Boundaries,” Papua once again demonstrates its commitment to providing the widest possible space for all citizens—without exception—to grow and bring honour to the region through sports excellence. ***