Chief Executive of the Indonesia National Paralympic Organization Committee (INASPOC), Gibran Rakabuming Raka, confirmed the readiness of the Solo Manahan Stadium for the opening of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG).
During his visit to Manahan Stadium in Solo, Friday, Raka remarked that currently, the workers had started the stage construction work on the north side of the stadium.
“The stage will be on the north side of the stadium. All of the seats have been removed,” he added.
Raka noted that several events at the opening ceremony comprised dance performances and ceremonial events.
“This included welcome speeches, flag hoisting, athlete oaths, and athletes parade,” Raka stated.
However, he affirmed that it was still too soon to give any confirmation on President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi’s) presence at the opening of the 2022 APG.
“We still have not heard information regarding President Jokowi’s presence. I will confirm next week for the VIP guests,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Raka said his side will implement an invitation system for the audience at the opening ceremony.
“Invitations are for the general public and also for sponsors and local officials. The public not receiving the invitation for the opening ceremony could be invited to the closing ceremony. The stadium’s capacity is quite large,” Raka stated.
On the same occasion, APG 2022 Project Director for the Opening and Closing Ceremony (OCC) Debora Sharen stated that preparations for the opening ceremony had commenced since the start of this week.
“Our preparations are already running. The timeline is safe. We will raise and introduce local culture with involvement from many parties,” Sharen noted.
She later remarked that the production process for the preparation is targeted to be completed before July 28, 2022.
“After July 28, we will focus on preparing the opening ceremony show. The main stage will use the entire tribune area. We were urged to make something different from the usual events,” she added.
Indonesia will host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games for the second time starting from July 30 to August 6, 2022.
A total of 11 countries are scheduled to participate in the event, comprising Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The participants will contest in 14 sports disciplines: athletics, boccia, archery, judo, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, court tennis, chess, goalball, badminton, cerebral palsy football, basketball, and sitting volleyball.
Source: Antara News