Nirmala Dewi, Secretary General of the Indonesian Basketball Association
Jakarta, IO – Nirmala Dewi, the Secretary-General of the Central Management of the Indonesian Basketball Association, was honored at the 2023 Lintas Politika Award ceremony on Friday, December 22, at Hotel Beston, Jenderal Sudirman Street, Palembang.
She was named in the category of “National Inspirational Woman” for her contributions to the world of sports. Nirmala has managed to elevate the region’s reputation on a global scale through sports.
Nirmala has been actively participating in many sports activities since graduating with a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Sriwijaya on July 28, 2023. She participated in organizing the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta-Palembang and assisted in the 2013 Islamic Solidarity Games in Palembang. She also participated in the 2014 ASEAN University Games. She worked as a special aide to President Inasgoc Erick Thohir for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang.
Nirmala was once a part of Sriwijaya FC during its glory days in Liga 1 before being relegated to Liga 2. She helped fund South Sumatra’s pride by serving as the Director of Marketing and Promotion at PT Sriwijaya Optimis Mandiri. She was also the manager at Sriwijaya FC U-19 in 2018.
She carved her name in stone for being the first female Secretary-General in the administration of the Central Management of the Indonesian Basketball Association (PP Perbasi) from 2019 to 2024 through the National Deliberation in 2019.
She greatly contributed to advancing Indonesian basketball, as during her tenure, the Indonesian men’s national basketball team won the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi (held in 2022) and led the women’s national basketball team to victory at the SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023.
For 2023, the women’s national basketball team has been successfully promoted to Division A of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup while successfully hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Jakarta. At present, Nirmala serves as the SEABA Coordination Council.
“Thank you for trusting me and granting me this award. I certainly appreciate this recognition, as it will motivate me to work even harder for Indonesia through the world of sports,” said Nirmala.
The world of sports has shaped and taught her to work towards achievements by emphasizing teamwork. Her love of sports breathes through her soul. She embraces all opportunities to collaborate in elevating Indonesia in the global world of sports.
“Once, I was rumored to hold the position of secretary general in PSSI. I don’t mind. No matter where I shall be assigned, as long as the country needs me, I am ready to dedicate myself to advancing the world of Indonesia’s sports,” explained Nirmala.
Apart from Nirmala, a number of other figures receiving the awards were Erwin Moeslimin Singajuru, the Special Staff of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) of Indonesia, who also served as a Member of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR), and Anwar Fuady, the Chairman of the Indonesian Sinetron Artists Association.
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Other awardees included H. Nurkholis, the Expert Advisor to the National Police Chief (Kapolri), who had served as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnasham), and retired Police Inspector General (Irjen Pol) Eko Indra Heri, who had served as the Chief of the South Sumatra Regional Police (Kapolda Sumsel) and is now the Deputy Internal Supervisor of SKK Migas. In addition to the list, Apriyadi, the Regent of Musi Banyuasin, was also awarded as one of the most innovative regional leaders, and Aga Khan, a well-known lawyer, for handling cases involving several Jakarta-based artists.
The Lintas Politika Award has been held regularly since 2015, with numerous national figures attending and receiving recognition, including Prof. Dr. H. Jimly Ashshidiqie, MA, H. Ahmad Sahroni, Police Commissioner General (Ret.) Susno Duadji, Dr. Ahmad Qodari, Dr. Edhie Prabowo, Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Burhanuddin Amin (former Pangkostrad), H. Alex Noerdin, H. Ishak Mekki, and several other prominent figures. (*/rp)