JAKARTA - The implementation of the 2022 ASEAN Paragames was marked by the taking of the first torch relay fire at the Eternal Fire of Mrapen, Manggarmas Village, Godong District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, Saturday.
The first fire taking of the ASEAN Para Games Solo 2022 torch relay was carried out by Director III for Support for the Indonesia National Paralympic Organization Committee (INASPOC), Hendri Oka.
In the relay, the torch was handed over to the Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno and Grobogan Regent Sri Sumarni, before being brought by Solikhan, a swimming athlete from Grobogan who won a gold medal at the 2018 Central Java Provincial Paralympic Week (Peparprov) event.
The torch was carried out with the torch-bearing group of the ASEAN Paragames Solo 2022 which will cross four cities.
"The torchbearing group from Grobogan to Semarang City, then continued to Sukoharjo, Karanganyar, and ended in Solo. The torch relay is scheduled for July 23 to 24, 2022," said Director III for Support for the Indonesian National Paralympic Organization Committee (INASPOC) Hendri Oka after the torchlighting of the ASEAN Paragames at the Eternal Fire of Mrapen Grobogan, as quoted by Antara.
He hopes that taking the torch will inspire the host athletes to become champions.
The Eternal Fire of Mrapen, he said, is one of the historical places in Indonesia. It's been countless how many important and historic moments that started from this place.
Central Java Secretary Sumarno said that the choice of Central Java by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as the venue for the 11th ASEAN Paragames Solo 2022 was an honor, because this multi-pronged event, apart from sporting activities, was also a place of appreciation for people with disabilities to obtain their rights.
"When it comes to equality, through this event we provide the rights of people with disabilities according to their portion," he said.
People with disabilities, he said, do not want mercy because they also want independence if the facilities they need are met.
"This opportunity is also an opportunity to socialize to the public that there are rights that must be fulfilled for people with disabilities, such as public facilities and infrastructure," he said.
The 2022 ASEAN Paragames, which are planned to be held from 30 July to 6 August 2022 in Central Java Province, involve four loci, namely Grobogan, Surakarta, Sukoharjo, and Karanganyar regencies.
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