Minister Of Youth And Sports Expectations When Inaugurated The 2022 APG Indonesian Contingent In Solo: Full Concentration Until Closing

The inauguration ceremony of the Indonesian APG 2022 contingent at Pendepo Gede Surakarta City Hall, Monday (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali has officially confirmed the Indonesian contingent of 539 people who will compete in the XI 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) disability sports at Pendopo Gede Surakarta City Hall, Central Java, Monday.

The Minister of Youth and Sports on the occasion also handed over the Red and White flag to the Chef de Mission (CDM) of the Indonesian Contingent, Andi Herman, which symbolized bringing the name of the State of Indonesia on the international scene at the APG XI 2022 multi-event sports party.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said that the Indonesian contingent, which will compete in the 2022 APG XI in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia, has been officially confirmed. The government hopes that what has been prepared as well as possible by the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), CDM, coaches and athletes themselves can get maximum results. As stated by CDM, that is to become the overall champion of APG 2022.

"I hope that the athletes, coaches and assistants until the closing ceremony will fully concentrate on facing the APG 2022 match," said the Minister of Youth and Sports as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia becomes the master in a sudden situation, as other countries should. However, because of the hard work of the Chairman of the Indonesian NPC Senny Marbun and the blessing and direction of President Joko Widodo, Indonesia was able to host and provide opportunities for athletes with disabilities to be able to compete.

Indonesia was supposed to participate in the 2019 APG in the Philippines, but it was cancelled. In 2022 it was supposed to be held in Vietnam, also canceled and unable to host. Indonesia will eventually host the 2022 APG.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said that what was conveyed by CDM was a commitment to become the overall champion of the 2022 APG in Solo. The Minister of Youth and Sports then asked for a commitment from the athletes, which the athletes answered spontaneously.

The Minister of Youth and Sports explained that the development of the Indonesian Paralympic sports was extraordinary. Therefore, the Government appreciates and gives genuine encouragement to this development. As proof of being ranked 76th in the world at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

"In 2021 the Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan and Indonesia are targeting 60th in the world, but now they are 43th in the world. The target of 60 to get 43rd in the world is extraordinary. So, CDM targets the 2022 APG overall champion, I immediately believe," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.

The government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports provides full support for the Indonesian contingent to facilitate what athletes need, of course, at the direction of President Joko Widodo. He is the one who makes the policy of equality between athletes with disabilities and non-disabled athletes.

"So, as a sign of gratitude, all athletes can make achievements. The government only needs achievements so that our Paralympics are getting better so that world-class achievements are also good," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Contingent CDM Andi Herman said the Indonesian contingent at the 2022 APG contained 539 athletes and officials from 14 sports that were competed.

The number of Indonesian contingents in APG XI 2022 consists of 324 athletes from 14 sports, 14 managers, 83 coaches, 69 support staff, one CDM. two CDM representatives, 16 CDM members, 10 psychologists, four psychiatrists, six doctors and 10 physiotherapists.

All athletes are currently in good health and ready to compete to achieve optimal results in order to make the name of the nation and the State of Indonesia proud and fly the Red and White Flag at the highest level in every competition arena. "Our target in APG XI 2022 is to become the overall champion with 104 gold medals," said Andi.