Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) RI Zainudin Amali said that Indonesia pursues the overall goal of winning the championship in Indonesia ASEAN Paralympic GamesJuly 20-31, 2022 next.

“Our goal is for Indonesia to become the overall champion,” Zainudin said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday (3/22).

This is the second time Indonesia has hosted a multi-event event for athletes with disabilities in the Southeast Asia region. Previously, Indonesia had organized a similar program in 2011. The city of Solo was again designated as the place of implementation.

Zainudin revealed the reason why Solo City became the host for the second time. According to him, Solo has adequate infrastructure.

“The Paralympic focus is definitely there. There is also a UNS which is able to support sports science. So it was agreed that Indonesia choose Surakarta and surrounding areas,” Menpora said.

He ensured that the ASEAN Para Games received special attention from the central government. The Ministry of Youth and Sports entrusts the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) with the preparation of the best athletes to achieve the goals of success.

“This implementation is coordinated directly by the central government, then we are the organizer, the Kemenpora. The APN will be responsible for the achievements,” he said.

The ASEAN Paralympic Games are contested by 11 sports. It includes athletics, boccia, archery, judo, weightlifting, swimming, wheelchair tennis, badminton, cycling, cerebral palsy football and wheelchair basketball.

So far, 10 ASEAN member countries have expressed their readiness to participate in the competition. Only Timor Leste has expressed its intention but is still in the process of becoming a participating country.

(ikh/ptr)