Vice President Ma’ruf Amin officially opened the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Saturday (30/7).
Ma’ruf delivered the opening speech of the APG which contained a message of unity for Southeast Asian countries.
“To all athletes, congratulations on fighting in a healthy and sporting competition. I hope that this sporting event will further strengthen friendly relations between ASEAN countries and the ASEAN community. I also hope that the ASEAN Para Games will make the ASEAN Community more inclusive and resilient,” said Vice President Ma’ruf Amin when delivering his opening speech at Solo’s Manahan Stadium, Saturday.
After finishing his opening speech, Vice President Ma’ruf then opened the kris and raised the kris above his head to mark the opening of the multi-event sporting event.
After finishing his opening speech, then on the field, APG’s mascot, Rajamala, emerged from the white lotus “shell” and was greeted with applause from the audience.
“Para Games is a special event because it is a source of inspiration for all of us about the meaning of equality. The games are something special because the athletes of the games are the best athletes who fight to make their country proud,” said the Vice President.
According to Vice President Ma’ruf, the 2022 APG event is also a special moment because the athletes of the games have proven that the drive to achieve their goals and make achievements must be stronger than the obstacles they face.
“I welcome to Indonesia, especially in the city of Surakarta, to the proud athletes who represent eleven countries from the Southeast Asian region,” added the Vice President.
The opening ceremony of APG 2022 was attended by Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin along with a number of state officials such as the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, to Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
At the opening ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, each country is represented by no more than 30 people. After defile, they gathered in the middle of Manahan Stadium.
Each contingent in the defile is accompanied by puppet characters.
The 2022 ASEAN Para Games will be attended by athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. Indonesia as the host fielded 323 athletes, then Thailand sent 303 representatives.
The rest, Vietnam (119 athletes), Cambodia (112), Philippines (144), Malaysia (70), Myanmar (69), Singapore (37 athletes), Laos (37), Timor Leste (15 athletes), and Brunei Darussalam with a contingent of at least 13 athletes.
They will compete in 14 sports namely, blind judo, para-athletic, para-swimming, para-table tennis, para-badminton, para-chess, sitting volleyball, CP Football, para-weightlifting, para-archery, boccia, goalball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.
