Hot Weather, This Is What The Indonesian Contingent Anticipated During The 2023 ASEAN Para Games

ASEAN Para Games 2023 (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian contingent anticipates hot weather in Cambodia during the 2023 ASEAN Para Games (APG) at Phnom Penh, on June 3-9.

Hot temperatures are one of the challenges faced by Indonesian athletes at the largest disability sports event in Southeast Asia, the 12th edition.

Especially at Phnom Penh, the temperature can reach 38 degrees Celsius, although in the last few days it has decreased by 33 to 34 degrees Celsius.

"The first thing that must be done every day is to meet the fluid needs. This is important to prevent dehydration because of this high temperature and the risk of heat stroke," said NPC team doctor Abdullah Al Hazmy quoting Antara.

Steps to prevent dehydration, continued Hazmy, all athletes are advised to eat a maximum of two hours before competing.

In addition, the need for vegetables has also caught the attention of a team of Indonesian NPC doctors for the intake of athletes' nutrition as well as prevention of dehydration. Then the need for water is at least one liter before training or competing.

"Don't let practice feel thirsty. If that happens, these conditions have shown one percent of athletes are dehydrated," he said.

"Also prepared cold towels or those that have been wetted to lower body temperature, especially in the head to neck. This is an effective step to prevent dehydration," added Hazmy.

Regarding the addition of supplements and vitamins to prevent dehydration, the doctor from Sukoharjo submitted the policy to each sport.

"Usually, the matter of what supplements can be consumed by the coach already has a record. The coaching team also consults us about adding vitamins," concluded Hazmy.

The Indonesian contingent has 500 sides and 268 of them are athletes who will compete in 12 sports, namely para-athletics, para-badminton, table tennis, para-swimming, weightlifting, blind judo, para-tours, sitting volleyball, cp football, boccia, wheelchair basketball, and goalball.

The Indonesian NPC contingent is determined to make history with a hat-trick of the overall champion or three consecutive times in the 12th edition of the biggest disability sports event in Southeast Asia.

In the two ASEAN Para Games editions, Indonesia is empowered by always becoming the overall champion. At the ASEAN Para Games IX/2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Red and White squad brought home 126 gold, 75 silver, and 50 bronze.

At that time, Indonesia defeated the host Malaysia who was in second place with 90 gold, 85 silver, 83 bronze. Thailand is in third position with 68 gold, 73 silver, 95 bronze.

Then, Indonesia successfully maintained the title as defending champion when it hosted the XI/2022 ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Central Java, with 175 gold, 144 silver, 107 bronze.

Thailand is in second place with 117 gold, 113 silver, and 88 bronze. While Vietnam is in third place by collecting 65 gold, 62 silver, and 55 bronze.