Puan Hopes People's Support Will Make The Indonesian Team Become The General Champion Of The XI Asean Para Games

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani (Photo from DPR Doc)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, invites the public to support the Indonesian team in the XI Asean Para Games. Moreover, Indonesia will compete at home in the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia for athletes with special needs.

"Let's support the athletes and officials of the Asean Para Games XI to compete in the championship," said Puan in a statement received, Tuesday, July 26.

The Asean Para Games XI will start on 30 July. The torch relay was held last Sunday, July 24, as well as a welcoming ceremony for the contingent teams from Southeast Asian countries.

Puan hopes that the 324 Indonesian athletes competing in the grand event will be able to give their best performances and make achievements.

"The achievements of the Para Games athletes will advance the world of sports in Indonesia," continued the first woman who became Chair of the DPR.

The Asean Para Games XI will feature 14 sports. Starting from badminton, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, and athletics.

All sports competed will be held at 14 venues in Solo City, Karanganyar Regency, Sukoharjo Regency and Semarang City.

The sports activity was attended by around 2,309 participants consisting of 1,648 athletes and 661 officials from 11 countries in the Southeast Asian Region.

"With the support of the community, we hope that the Indonesian contingent can become the overall champion in the Asean Para Games this time," said Puan.

“Moreover, the Indonesian contingent has a number of athletes who have experience competing in the Paralympics. Indonesia's opportunity to excel in this event is very large because the potential of our Para Games athletes is very capable," added the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

On the other hand, Puan hopes that this year's Para Games will have a positive impact on the people of Solo and its surroundings. Especially from an economic point of view.

"Hopefully the Asean Para Games will not only be useful for the development of sports for friends with disabilities but also be able to move the community's economy, especially those at the venue," concluded Puan.