ASIAN PARA GAMES 2018: Disabled-Friendly Facilities for Athletes and Audience

The Asian Para Games, to take place 6th to 13th October 2018 also in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, follows hot on the heels of the phenomenal success achieved at the 18th Asian Games 2018.  The Asian Para Games are planned to become an equally impressive multisports event, dedicated not only to participating athletes with various disabilities but also for disabled audiences. All venues for the matches are already equipped with special facilities for disabled audiences for whom tickets are distributed completely free of charge.

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President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has made special emphasis, underlining that “those with disabilities must be given free and proper entry and facilities for the event”. “I have specially requested free entry for those with a disability who wish to watch matches at the Asian Para Games” instructed President Joko Widodo. The President also ensured that venues, transportation, the athletes’ village, and all technical aspects should be well prepared for both athletes and audience.

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President Joko Widodo personally led the Asian Para Games preparatory meeting on Friday, 7th September 2018 at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, emphasizing that as host country, Indonesia must be both great and hospitable just as it had splendidly done so during Asian Games 2018.  42 Asian countries will be joining the forthcoming Asian Para Games 2018. “I want the momentum of the success achieved by Asian Games to roll over onto the Asian Para Games. We aim to be a good host once more and provide excellent service to the 2,888 athletes and 1,826 officials who will compete in 18 sports at the Asian Para Games” said Joko Widodo.

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On his side, Chairperson of the Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INAPGOC), Raja Sapta Oktohari, mentioned that the Asian Para Games must sustain the positive memories and sports euphoria as reverberated by Asian Games 2018.  Among the first steps taken to achieve this end, INAPGOC has spread the spirit of Asian Para Games across the Indonesian archipelago through the torch relay tour. Commencing in Solo, in Central Java, the Asian Para Games torch was flown to Ternate in North Maluku on 9th September for a grand procession coinciding with the National Sports Day celebrations on the island. From here, the Asian Para Games torch continues its journey to Makassar (South Sulawesi) on 12th September, Bali on 16th September, Pontianak (West Kalimantan) on 19th September, Medan (North Sumatra) on 23rd September, Pangkal Pinang (Bangka-Belitung) on 26th September, to finally reach host city Jakarta on 30th September.

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Meanwhile, Head of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Senny Marbun revealed that the Indonesia contingent aims to be among the top 6 in the overall winners list at the Asian Para Games 2018, winning at least 17 gold medals from 18 sports from a total of 568 gold medals up for grabs. “We are confident that we can reach the top 6 winning 16 or 17 gold medals.

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There is also a large possibility that we may be able to gain more, thereby rising higher up the ranks” said Senny Marbun.

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Senny further explained that among the sports that Indonesia targets to gain gold medals are: athletics, badminton, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, and cycling.

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