Indonesia Sets the Bar High as 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo Host

PRESS RELEASE

Number: 73/08/ASEANPARAGAMES/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Solo – 11 participating countries gave their appreciation to Indonesia’s hard work as host of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo. They were pleased to participate in this biennial sports event for people with disabilities. Cambodia, as the next host, expressed its intention to learn from Indonesia’s success.

“We are going to finish this event. We have given satisfying services to participating countries,” said the Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Rima Ferdianto, in a press conference at the Media Center for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo at Swiss-Belinn Hotel, Saripetojo, Surakarta, on Friday evening (5 August 2022).

Speakers in the press conference also include the Deputy for Sports Achievement Improvement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Chandra Bakti, Head of the NPC’s Research and Development Division, Sapta Kunta Purnama, and Indonesia’s Chef de Mission for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, Andi Herman.

According to Rima, Indonesian National Paralympic Organizing Committee (INASPOC) has conducted a survey on the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo to understand the views of para-athletes and officials of the participating countries, as well as the ASEAN Parasports Federation (APFS). Their responses were generally appreciative of the event.

Rima shared a story of one Filipino senior para-athletes’ experience, who took part in the 2011 ASEAN Para Games and was amazed at the significant changes in the facilities provided to para-athletes. In 2011, an athlete’s village in Donohudan served as accommodation for the para-athletes with meager facilities. However, the organizing committee for the current games provided hotels for the para-athletes allowing them to be comfortable during the event.

“They were amazed at the Solo’s development. There are significant changes from the 6^th ASEAN Para Games in 2011. They said the changes were extraordinary. They could not believe that we only had four months of preparation,” Rima said.

Rima’s statement was in line with the story of Vietnam’s ace in para-athletics, Vuong Chau. He was also part of the Vietnamese contingent at the 2011 Para Games Solo. He was also happy with the provided facilities compared to before.

“I am very happy. Thank you, Indonesia,” he said. He was happy that he stayed in a comfortable hotel.

Aside from a tight schedule after being appointed to replace Vietnam, Rima said that Indonesia had been prepared for a long time to host the event.

“They probably did not know that. The bottom line is that they are happy. They did not mind about the medals. They were happy to have the opportunity for competing after a five-year break in the multi-event sports in Southeast Asia. They appreciated the opportunity to compete once more,” he said.

The 2022 ASEAN Para Games also made history in its broadcast. For the first time, the ASEAN Para Games broadcasted the 14 sports live. Previously, the broadcast only covered less than 50 percent of the competed sports.

“We hope that the 2022 ASEAN Para Games leaves a legacy for Solo to be known as a friendly city for disabled people and a center for fostering outstanding para-athletes in Indonesia,” she said.

 According to Sapta Kunta Purnama, Head of Indonesian NPC’s Research and Development, the 2022 ASEAN Para Games became a role model due to the good facilities provided to the participating countries.

“Chef de Mission (CdM) of other countries said that the 2022 ASEAN Para Games will be an example for other countries. Cambodia and Malaysia would like to learn about the organization of the event and Indonesia’s training because our achievements soared,” he said.

He also delivered a message from the Indonesian NPC Chief, Senny Marbun, who would like to send his gratitude for the struggle for equality demonstrated by para-athletes so that they can participate in raising the dignity of their countries through sports.

Indonesia has been confirmed to be the overall champion of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games with a total of 419 medals. Indonesia won 171 gold, 138 silver, and 110 bronze. Indonesia’s previous target was 104 medals.

Indonesia’s CdM, Andi Herman, ensured that the para-athletes will receive bonuses equal to the athletes competing in ASEAN Games.

“Equal means the same, whether it is for gold, silver, or bronze medals. That is the President’s decision,” Herman said.

Closing Ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo

According to Chandra Bhakti, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, will attend the closing ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo on Saturday (6 August 2022).

“We have met the targets successfully in terms of organization, achievement, administration, and economic recovery. I have seen the preparations made by INASPOC for tomorrow’s closing ceremony which will be officially closed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo,” Chandra Bhakti said.

“Our performance was extraordinary. The target for Indonesian para-athletes was 104 gold medals, but we won 400 medals. We deployed 323 para-athletes, which means that all of them received one medal,” he said.

The 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) Solo also had a domino impact on other sectors, such as the economy and tourism. APG is utilized by Surakarta City to restore its economy after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years.

During APG, almost all hotels in the Surakarta area were full. The organizing committee also cooperated with local MSMEs for food at every venue.

“We can also view the organization’s success from an economic point of view. All hotels were full of visitors. In addition, SMEs also participated in APG as the organizing committee involved local SMEs in the procurement of snacks. We can check the impact of the 11^th ASEAN Para Games had in Solo later.”

Chandra Bhakti also emphasized the role of President Joko Widodo in the success of Indonesia’s bid to host the ASEAN Para Games. This is the first time APG was held after five years, with the last games being held at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia.

APG was originally scheduled to be held in 2019 in the Philippines. However, it was canceled. Then, there was Vietnam which was supposed to hold the 2021 APG. However, COVID-19 also made them unable the event.

“All of this can be held thanks to the President’s policy. The 2022 ASEAN Para Games is a policy to provide opportunities for para-athletes to compete in these multi-event games. More broadly, the president was able to give opportunities for all para-athletes in Southeast to compete against each other.”

“This was appreciated by participating countries, namely Southeast Asia countries and their NPCs. The president’s policy to accept the organization of the 2022 APG is a statement, a very wise decision, in seeing the equality between athletes with disabilities and athletes without disabilities in a universal context. This is also an opportunity for all local and international para-athletes.”

Contact Person:

Suhud    I +62856-3555-117

Isnan     I +62815-6756-969

Fireworks show during the opening ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo at Manahan Stadium on Saturday (30 July 2022).

*For use of images, please include photo credits: Media Center APG 2022