JABAR EKSPRES –Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo said the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia can be a warm-up and provision for Indonesian paralympic athletes towards the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
For this reason, he wants Indonesian paralympic athletes who are struggling in the upcoming multi-branch event to reap the best achievements in Cambodia.
“The national sports achievement paradigm has a target of achievement in the Paralympic or Paralympic. This means that we make the ASEAN Para Games and Asian Para Games multievent as an intermediate target towards the upcoming Paralympics (Paris),” said Menpora Dito, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Tuesday (5/30).
According to the Menpora, the results of achievements at the ASEAN and Asian Para Games will be the determining factor to be able to step into the highest Paralympic event.
Read more: Hajj Candidate from Madiun Dies in Medina
“So fight, compete as much as possible to uphold sportsmanship. Because the results of the ASEAN and Asian Para Games can be a benchmark for the struggle towards the upcoming Paralympics,” Dito said.
Furthermore, the Menpora assessed that throughout Indonesia’s history, the Red and White contingent always obtained proud results, so the target to become the overall champion of the ASEAN Para Games is always in sight.
“The Cambodian SEA Games experience is indeed the host of many injustices, but I have said that it should not dampen our enthusiasm to keep fighting and hopefully the spirit will be higher. In preparation for the APG, Cambodia borrowed many assets and equipment from Indonesia because Indonesia is considered to be the most prepared country in the development of disabled athletes,” Dito explained.
On the other hand, Indonesian Contingent Chef de Mission (CdM) Andi Herman said that at the 12th ASEAN Para Games, the Garuda Squad sent 286 athletes by participating in 12 sports.
