With Jokowi's Blessing, Menpora Moves Quickly To Prepare Indonesia To Host The 2022 ASEAN Paragames

Menpora Zainudin Amali. (Photo: Public Relations Kemenpora)

JAKARTA – Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali will immediately prepare Indonesia to host the 2022 ASEAN Paragames. He has received the blessing of President Joko Widodo.

Indonesia was chosen to host the multi-pronged disability event in February, replacing Vietnam, which chose to withdraw. This event will take place in Solo in July.

"I reported to Mr. President Joko Widodo that Indonesia was appointed to host the 2022 ASEAN Paragames and he said, take it, so I dare to take it even though it is only a few months," said Menpora Amali in an official statement.

The time allotted by the committee for Indonesia is relatively short because the implementation of this event is only five months away. Thus, the government must speed up preparations in a tight time.

Menpora said that in addition to preparing facilities and infrastructure, the government must also rush to prepare athletes. For this reason, he immediately held a meeting with the General Chair of the Indonesian Paralympic Committee and the Mayor of Solo.

"This is indeed an incredibly tough job because of that (the ASEAN Paragames 2022 will be held) this July," he said.

This is Indonesia's second opportunity to hold a multi-event event for athletes with disabilities in the Southeast Asian region. Previously, Indonesia held the same event in 2011 at the same place.

The 11th ASEAN Paragames this year will be held on 20-31 July 2022. Solo is officially designated as the host of the 2022 ASEAN Paragames as stated in the decree issued by the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) on 14 January.