Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo gladly welcomed the offer from Special Olympics International (SOI) for Indonesia to take the opportunity to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG).
"Yes, we have just met with the Chief Operating Officer and President of Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Region," the minister said, as broadcast by the ministry's official website on Thursday.
The offer was made by SOI Chief Operating Officer Lou Lauria at a meeting with Minister Ariotedjo and Chairperson of Special Olympics Indonesia (SOIna) Warsito Ellwein in Berlin on Wednesday local time.
The SOI representative said he was looking forward to holding follow-up talks on the matter.
The minister warmly welcomed the offer and would report it to President Joko Widodo after the conclusion of the 2023 SOWG Berlin on June 25.
Ariotedjo said that the offer was made after the SOI observed the positive inclusiveness development trend in Indonesia.
The SOI also deemed Indonesia as having been successful in hosting various multi-branch sporting events, such as the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, he remarked.
On that basis, the SOI made an official offer to Indonesia to be the host for the 2027 SOWG.
The SOI decided to offer Indonesia to host SOWG after Germany, as it deems Indonesia to be an ever-developing and iconic country, according to the minister.
"After Europe, Indonesia is deemed fit to represent Asia Pacific. In fact, Indonesia has met all the facilities required for hosting the event. Indonesia has hosted a number of major events in Olympic-standard venues," he noted.
Meanwhile, the SOIna chairperson confirmed that the talks went smoothly while adding to the fact that the SOI outlined proof of Indonesia's success.
"This is a good initial official talk and serves as an indicator that the SOI puts its trust in Indonesia as a country that has successfully organized international multi-branch sporting events," Ellwein remarked.
Indonesia has participated nine times in SOWGs, with the 1991 SOWG in Minnesota, the United States, marking its first-ever participation.
Ellwein noted that Indonesia has repeatedly expressed its willingness to host an SOWG.
"Originally, we expected to become the host for the 2031 edition, but the SOI offered a more imminent opportunity instead. Of course, this is very good," he stated.
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