Indonesia Prepares 50 Athletes To Participate In China's Hangzhou Asian Para Games

President Joko Widodo and Senny Marbun (left) during the bonus handover ceremony to the ASEAN Para Games contingent at the Merdeka Palace courtyard, Jakarta, Monday (3/7/2023). (DOC. ANTARA)

The Hangzhou Asian Para Games (APG), China will be held next October. To participate, the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has prepared 50 athletes to undergo a national training camp (pelatnas) in preparation.

"The Indonesian NPC will send around 50 athletes from six sports that are prepared through national training in Solo to take part in the Hangzhou APG," said NPC Indonesia Chairman Senny Marbun after the thanksgiving ceremony for the success of the Indonesian contingent to become the overall champion of the ASEAN Para Games 2023 Cambodia, in Karanganyar, Saturday.

Senny Marbun said APG 2023 Hangzhou China will compete around 18 to 22 sports, but Indonesia only sends around 50 athletes from six sports, including para-badminton, para-swimming, para-athletics, para-shooting, para-tables, and table tennis.

"In Hangzhou APG, the rival is tough, so we haven't dared to talk about the medal target," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 8.

Indonesia's NPC in the previous APG, when it was the host, took fifth place with nine gold medals.

"For the Hangzhaou APG, China is heavy. Being able to maintain the ranking is good," he said.

However, NPC Indonesia will fight as much as possible to achieve its best and hope to be able to defend nine gold medals as in the previous event.

Previously, NPC Indonesia held a thanksgiving for the success of the Indonesian contingent to become the overall champion of the ASEAN Para Games 2023 Cambodia which was held at the Rumah Pendopo of the Karanganyar Regent's Office, Friday (7/7) night, was accompanied by representatives of athletes, NPC administrators, and CDM representatives.

Deputy Secretary General of NPC Indonesia Rima Ferdianto said the event was an expression of gratitude for Indonesia's success in becoming the overall champion of APG 2023 as well as scoring a hat-trick.

NPC Indonesia at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Cambodia was able to defend the overall title with 158 gold, 148 silver and 95 bronze medals.

Previously, Indonesia also succeeded in becoming the overall champion in the 2017 APG which took place in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, and APG 2022 in Solo Indonesia.