Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin Appreciates ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 in Surakarta

Surakarta, wapresri.go.id -The XI ASEAN Para Games have already been postponed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event which was supposed to be held in Vietnam will be hosted by Indonesia this year.

“After being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tonight, I am very happy to be present at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, to open this special event,” said Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin when opening the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022, at the Manahan Stadium, Jl. Adi Sucipto No.1, Surakarta, Saturday night (30/07/2022).

Furthermore, the Vice President appreciated the Governor of Central Java and the Mayor of Surakarta and their staff who had worked hard to prepare everything so that this event could be held.

“I express my appreciation and congratulations to the Governor of Central Java and all teams, especially the Mayor of Surakarta, for the hard work that has been done in preparing for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games,” he said.

According to the Vice President, the ASEAN Para Games is a positive event for people with disabilities to increase their enthusiasm and productivity to achieve their goals despite the many obstacles they face.

“The games are also special because the athletes in the games prove that the drive to achieve their goals and make achievements must be stronger than the obstacles they have,” explained the Vice President.

“The games are a special event because they are a source of inspiration for all of us in defining equality,” he added.

Closing his remarks, the Vice President hoped that the implementation of the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 could become an intermediary communication in strengthening relations between countries, especially in the Southeast Asian region.

“I hope this sporting event will further strengthen partnership relations among ASEAN countries and the ASEAN community,” said the Vice President.

“Have a good competition in a healthy and sporty spirit,” he concluded.

Earlier, the Mayor of Surakarta as Chairman of the Indonesia ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 Gibran Rakabuming Raka expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the event of the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 and hoped that this event would inspire the people of Indonesia.

“We hope to find more talents, and world champions who can inspire us all,” said Gibran.

The ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 will be held from 30 July to 6 August 2022 and will be participated by 10 Southeast Asia countries.

Also attending the event, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of Energy and Resources Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, and Secretary General of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) Wandee Tosuwan. (SM/DMA/LHS- BPMI Setwapres)