Surakarta, wapresri.go.id – Vice President (Vice President) KH Ma’ruf Amin opened the 2022 ASEAN Para Games XI at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, Saturday night (30/07/2022). Upon arrival at the location, the Vice President was greeted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali and the Mayor of Surakarta as Chairman of the Indonesia ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Furthermore, the event was opened by wayang cultural performances and followed by a parade of athletes from 11 ASEAN countries, starting with Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Timor Leste, The Philippines, and Indonesia.

Wearing a sports jacket and white pants with a matching hat, the Vice President accompanied by Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin looked happy and enthusiastic before all athletes.

“I hope that the ASEAN Para Games will make the ASEAN community more inclusive and resilient,” said the Vice President.

“By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare that the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 is officially opened,” concluded the Vice President while holding up a dagger (keris) as a symbol of the inauguration of the opening of the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022.

The opening procession was lively followed by the appearance of the Mascot of the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022. Then the ASEAN Para Games flag hoisting was held.

One part of the awaited opening procession is the lighting of the Cauldron fire as the final marker for the start of the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022.

For information, Indonesia will participate in 14 sports in the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 and will field its best athletes with disabilities. Indonesia will field 78 athletes for Para Athletics, 47 Para Swimming athletes, 40 Para Table Tennis athletes, 25 Para-Badminton athletes, 18 Blind-Judo athletes, 18 Para Chess athletes, 16 Sitting Volleyball athletes, 14 CP Football athletes, and 13 athletes Powerlifters.

Meanwhile, the Archery, Boccia, and Goalball, each sport will field the best 12 athletes. While in Wheelchair Basketball there will be 10 athletes, then there will be 8 Wheelchair Tennis athletes.

Indonesia will host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games from 30 July to 6 August 2022. There are 14 sports that will be competed in several locations, such as Surakarta City, Sukoharjo Regency, Karanganyar Regency, and the farthest one in Semarang City. Almost all of the match locations were in the former Surakarta Residency, specifically for the Para Swimming sport, which is held in Jatidiri Semarang. (DMA/LHS – BPMI Setwapres)