Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin officially opened the 2022 XI ASEAN Para Games Manahan Stadium, Solo, Central Java, Saturday.
"Welcome to Indonesia, especially the City of Surakarta, to the proud athletes who represent eleven countries from the Southeast Asian region," said the Vice President.
After his opening speech, VP Ma'ruf then opened a kris (dagger) and raised it above his head to mark the opening of the multi-event sporting event.
Then on the field, APG's mascot, Rajamala, emerged from the white lotus "shell" and was greeted with applause from the audience.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali; president of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF), Osoth Bhalivai; as well as the Mayor of Surakarta and chair of the Indonesian ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee (INASPOC), Gibran Rakabuming Raka, joined the Vice President at the venue.
The APG is the largest disabled sports event in Southeast Asia, and will be held in Solo and Semarang, Central Java, from July 30 to August 6, 2022.
The participants will compete in 14 sports, namely athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, chess, powerlifting, boccia, blind judo, goalball, wheelchair tennis, archery, CP football, wheelchair basketball, and sitting volleyball.
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah; head of the Vice President Secretariat Office, Ahmad Erani Yustika; deputy for human development policy support and equal development, Suprayoga Hadi; special staff to the Vice President, Masduki Baidlowi; and the Vice President's expert team staff Farhat Brachma, accompanied the Vice President to Solo.
Related news: Minister expects Indonesia champion of 2022 APG
Related news: ASEAN Para Games venues ready, torch relay on Sunday
