Jakarta Youth Community Donates to Support Special Olympics World Games 2027

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Leo Club Jakarta Karisma, a youth community mentored by Lions Club Indonesia, has raised donations to support the National Special Olympics Week (PESONAS) 2026 and the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) 2027. Pesonas will be held in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, while the SOWG 2027 will take place in Santiago, Chile.

Eveline N. Chandra, PCC of Lions Club Indonesia, said she was very proud and pleased to see young people engaging in activities that show concern for others. In her view, helping one another is a natural responsibility shared by all human beings.

“We are obligated to give them opportunities as well. If these young people are not given opportunities, we will never know the extent of their capabilities,” Eveline said at an event in Jakarta on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Eveline said that caring for children with special needs is a challenge that all parents must continue to address. According to her, without assistance and concern from others, a person would have little meaning in the eyes of God.

“Therefore, our opportunity to share and give is extremely important,” Eveline said, according to a statement recently received by RRI Voice of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Hastuti B. Kresna, District Governor A1 of Lions Club Indonesia, said that supporting children with special needs requires attention from all sectors of society.

“In business, we are given advantages and blessings, and that naturally comes with greater responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to bring others along so that they, too, can enjoy the things we are grateful for in life,” she said.

Leo Club Karisma donated a total of Rp25 million (approximately US$1,400) to Special Olympics Indonesia. The community also donated to Save the Children, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to child protection, although the amount was not disclosed.

Secretary of the Central Board of Special Olympics Indonesia, Ine Kharisma, explained that PESONAS 2026 will be held from October 14–18, 2026. She said this second edition of PESONAS is expected to attract approximately 1,368 participants from 23 provinces across Indonesia.

According to Ine, seven sports will be contested at PESONAS 2026. Those are athletics, bocce, football (soccer), swimming, badminton, table tennis, and rhythmic gymnastics.

“In addition, PESONAS will feature a health screening program, leadership development through the Athletes' Leadership program, and early childhood development through the Young Athletes program,” Ine explained.

Ine added that athletes who compete at Pesonas will have the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics World Games 2027, which is expected to bring together 6,000 athletes from 170 countries competing in 21 sports. Indonesia has been officially allocated a quota of 69 delegates, consisting of athletes, coaches, team officials, and medical personnel.