by Nazim Erdem and Josh Hose

We had an incredible adventure in Indonesia, thanks to the Bali Sports Foundation (BSF) and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Our trip, which coincided with the 75th anniversary of Australian-Indonesian relations, took us through Bali, Kupang, Atambua, and Jakarta. 

We were on a mission to promote adaptive sports, increase awareness about disabilities, and advocate for better accessibility across the region.

Arrival in Bali

We kicked off our journey in Bali, landing on a Qantas flight where we were treated like VIPs. The airport staff were fantastic, and they were eager to learn about our mission, taking photos with us before we headed off to the Bali Garden Beach Resort. The resort was right on the beach in Kuta with beautiful views and a great location, but not without its challenges. While the resort was accessible, the beds were ridiculously high. Naz had to get lifted in and out of bed by hotel staff, which was a bit of an inconvenience, but it was no issue for them.

Challenges in Kupang

Our next stop was Kupang, a nearly two-hour flight from Bali. Getting there was an adventure in itself. There were no aisle wheelchairs on the plane which meant we had to be physically lifted to our seats and carried down the stairs upon landing. The Naka Hotel in Kupang was a pleasant surprise with good wheelchair access and an accessible bathroom, which made our stay more comfortable.

However, the real challenge came during our wheelchair rugby demonstration. The event was held on an outdoor basketball court, and it was clear the venue hadn’t been maintained in years. The court was concrete, extremely rough, and full of cracks, but we powered through. Despite the rough playing conditions, the turnout was fantastic. Local nuns, students, and families filled the stands, cheering us on and even jumping in to play with us. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was heartening to see such a diverse group come together to support adaptive sports.

Journey to Atambua

After Kupang, we embarked on a six-hour drive to Atambua. Navigating Indonesian traffic is an experience in itself. Chaotic doesn’t even begin to describe it. There seemed to be no clear traffic rules, with motorbikes and cars weaving in and out, but somehow, it all seemed to work. Arriving at the Timor Hotel, we faced another accessibility challenge: the bathroom wasn’t designed for wheelchair users. Fortunately, our host Rodney from BSF arranged for a support worker to help with the bathroom, making things a bit easier.

Despite these hurdles, our time in Atambua was incredibly rewarding. The local hospital treated us like celebrities, giving us a VIP tour and even taking our blood for promotional purposes. We were the first foreigners to ever visit the hospital, which was quite a big deal for them. That evening, we were honoured guests at the governor’s residence for dinner, which was a surreal experience.

BSF had organised several events, including demonstrations of wheelchair basketball, bocce, and goalball. Playing bocce at an orphanage was a particularly touching experience. The kids were so eager to learn and play, and their joy was infectious. We were also guests of a radio program to promote the events.

Instead of driving back to Kupang, we decided to take a flight in a small propeller plane. The absence of aisle wheelchairs made boarding and disembarking quite nerve racking, with about ten guys helping to lift us down the stairs, but we managed with the help of the local crew.

The following day, we conducted another demonstration at the Sports Stadium in Kupang. The students were thrilled to see the sports in action, and many had never seen a wheelchair before, let alone a competitive wheelchair rugby game.

Another wheelchair rugby exhibition was held at the Catholic University. The students made us feel like rock stars, making banners and creating a walkway for us to pass through before the game even started. The loudest cheers were “We love Josh… “. Their excitement and eagerness to participate were highlights of the trip.

Return to Bali

We returned to the Garden Beach Hotel. This time, they gave Naz a family room with a bunk bed, which was the perfect height for easy transfers. We had an incredible lunch at the Australian consulate, where we shared our experiences and the importance of promoting adaptive sports in the region. Afterward, we headed to the International School, where we played wheelchair rugby with the students. We also stayed at the Prime Plaza Hotel in Sanur. This hotel was much more accessible after removing the bathroom door. 

Jakarta and Final Events

Jakarta was our last stop, and we stayed at the Crystal Hotel. Naz managed to get a room with an accessible bathroom. Once again, the high beds were an issue, but the staff were incredibly helpful, lifting him in and out of bed when needed. We conducted wheelchair rugby demonstrations at a local university and an Islamic high school. The students and teachers alike were excited to learn about adaptive sports and eagerly joined in the game. 

Afterward, we had a luxurious lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel with embassy staff. The hotel was pure luxury, and it was a perfect way to wind down after such an action-packed journey. A minor setback occurred when housekeeping mistakenly threw out some of Naz’s medical supplies, but the hotel managed to track them down. A lesson learned: always keep supplies in separate places!

That evening at the Sports Bar, we watched Australia vs Great Britain in wheelchair rugby at the Paris Paralympics. It was a thrilling game, and though Australia lost by four points, the match was a fantastic display of skill and sportsmanship.

Summary

Our trip to Indonesia was an eye-opening experience, filled with both rewarding moments and significant challenges. We aimed to promote access, sport, and disability awareness throughout the region, advocating for more inclusive environments and greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports.

We encountered several challenges along the way: limited accessibility at many accommodations, a lack of aisle wheelchairs on flights, rough and uneven sports facilities, and navigating chaotic traffic conditions. Despite these obstacles, the warmth and enthusiasm of the local communities made it all worthwhile. 

From wheelchair rugby games at schools and universities to bocce matches at orphanages, we were able to demonstrate the power of adaptive sports to bring people together and inspire change.

This trip reinforced the urgent need for increased awareness and development of adaptive sports and better accessibility infrastructure in Southeast Asia. It was a journey of resilience, learning, and connection, and it has only strengthened our commitment to advancing inclusivity and empowering people with disabilities through sports. Hopefully we were able to lay the groundwork for future initiatives to support people with disabilities.