VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has said that he expects the implementation of the 11th ASEAN Para Games (APG), themed “Striving for Equality,” to encourage the ASEAN community to become more inclusive and resilient.

"For all athletes, have a good fight in this healthy and fair competition. I hope that this sporting event will further strengthen friendly relations among ASEAN countries as well as communities," he remarked while opening the multi-sports event at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta City, Central Java Province, on Saturday.

The ASEAN Para Games are special since they can inspire people and show the meaning of equality, he said.

“Para Games athletes are the best athletes who strive to make their country proud," he added.

The athletes have proven that to achieve various goals and accomplishments, the will must be tougher than the obstacles faced, Amin said.

"I welcome all of the proud athletes who represent the 11 Southeast Asian countries to Indonesia, especially to Surakarta City," the Vice President said.

The city is rich in culture and has become the home of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), he added.

"In the city, the first Indonesian National Sports Week was held in 1948. This year (2022), the city is hosting the ASEAN Para Games for the second time -- after implementing the 6th ASEAN Para Games in 2011," he noted.

Furthermore, Amin lauded the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, and his rank and file, especially Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka and officials, for their hard work in preparing for the sporting event.

After delivering his remarks, he pulled a kris -- traditional Javanese weapon -- and raised it above his head to mark the opening of the 11th APG.

The Para Games will take place in Surakarta City, Karanganyar District, and Semarang City from July 30 to August 6, 2022.

The matches will be held at Manahan Stadium (for athletics and tennis), the sports hall of the Sports Faculty of Sebelas Maret University (boccia and goalball), Kota Barat Field (archery), Tirtonadi Convention Hall (judo and table tennis), and Solo Paragon Hotel (powerlifting).

Other venues include Semarang Jati Diri Sports Hall (swimming), Solo Dwangsa Hotel (chess), Edutorium Building of Muhammadiyah Surakarta University (badminton), stadium of Sebelas Maret University (CP football), Sritex Sports Hall (basketball), as well as sports hall of Tunas Pembangunan University (sitting volleyball).

The Indonesian contingent has sent the highest number of athletes for the games at 324. It is followed by Thailand (303 athletes), Vietnam (119), Cambodia (112), the Philippines (144), Malaysia (70), Myanmar (69), Singapore (37), Laos (37), Timor Leste (15), and Brunei Darussalam (13). (Antaranews)