Jokowi Supports Indonesia To Replace Vietnam As Host Of The ASEAN Para Games, But The Southeast Asian Sports Federation Will Decide

President Jokowi (instagram @jokowi)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Senny Marbun said President Joko Widodo supports Indonesia in replacing Vietnam as the host of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games.

Senny had conveyed Indonesia's plan to host Jokowi during the National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) in Papua some time ago.

"I have discussed our wishes with President Joko Widodo when accompanying him to watch the final match of the Peparnas badminton at the Cendrawasih Gymnasium in Jayapura, yesterday," said Senny Marbun, as reported by Antara, Monday.

"Verbally the President strongly supports Indonesia's plan to host the 2022 APG to replace Vietnam," he added.

Vietnam recently announced its decision to step down from hosting the ASEAN Para Games and will only host the SEA Games in Hanoi.

The Vietnam Paralympic Association (VPA) has sent an official letter addressed to the President of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF), Osoth Bhavilai, and APSF member countries including Indonesia.

In a letter dated 11 November 2021 signed by Vietnam's NPC President Huynh Vinh Ai, it was explained that Vietnam decided to cancel the 2022 APG implementation due to the high level of the fourth wave of COVID-19 spread in the country.

In addition to the high number of active COVID-19 cases in Vietnam, the VPA also assessed that the number of COVID-19 in APSF member countries was still high, so they decided not to host the 2022 APG.

Therefore, the Indonesian NPC volunteered to be the substitute host.

Senny explained that his party would wait for a letter of support from the President or the government before volunteering to run as the host of the Southeast Asian disability sports event.

"The point is we are ready to host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games if later appointed by the Southeast Asian Para Sports Federation," he concluded.