Hey everyone, Zazi here!
I just had a “pinch-me” moment that Iโve been waiting to share with you all. A few months ago, I was training in the mountains of Switzerland, and recently, I found myself in a very different setting: the 10th floor of the Kementerian Pemuda dan Olahraga (you might know it as Kemenporaโthe Ministry of Youth and Sports) in Jakarta.
I had the absolute honor of meeting Bapak Erick Thohir, the Minister of Youth and Sports, along with the legendary Wamenpora, Taufik Hidayat.
More Than Just a Meeting
Walking into the Ministerโs office, I was definitely feeling those pre-competition butterflies! But Pak Erick was so incredibly welcoming and supportive. We sat down to talk about my journey as a snowboarderโfrom growing up in Jakarta to training in the superpipes of Laax.
What made this meeting so special wasn’t just the “who,” it was the “what.” To have the Ministry of Sports recognize snowboarding as a path for Indonesia is a massive deal. As many of you know, Indonesia is a tropical paradise, and weโve never had a Winter Olympian before. Pak Erick told me that the government is fully behind young athletes who want to break boundaries and bring the “Merah Putih” (the Red and White flag) to the world stage.
What Recognition Means to Me
Representing Indonesia has always been my biggest “why.” Every time I drop into a halfpipe, Iโm not just doing it for myself; Iโm doing it to show that an Indonesian girl can fly just as high as anyone else, even if we don’t have snow at home!
Hearing Pak Erick say, “I am very supportive of Zazi to continue practicing and participating in international championships,” gave me so much extra fuel. Itโs a reminder that my dream of the 2030 Winter Olympics isn’t just a personal goal anymoreโitโs a mission Iโm carrying for my country.
The Road to 2030
Having the support of Kemenpora and Bapak Erick Thohir makes the long road ahead feel a lot smoother. We talked about the importance of sports science, international competition, and the grit it takes to be a professional athlete.
I left the office feeling more motivated than ever. Knowing that my country believes in me makes every wipeout worth it and every landing feel even sweeter.
Terima kasih, Pak Erick, and thank you to the whole Kemenpora team for believing in the “Tropical Snow Girl.” Weโre making history, one jump at a time!
Stay stoked and Maju Terus Pantang Mundur!
Zazi ๐ฎ๐ฉโจ
PS. Follow the adventures of Zazi, the Indonesian Athlete, Teen Modelย & Snowboard Girl, on Instagram: Click Here !
