Jokowi Opens Peparnas XVII in Solo

Peparnas is not only an event to provide potential athletes

President Joko Widodo launched the opening of the 17th National Paralympic Week (Peparnas XVII) at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, Sunday (10/6) night.

Supporting Peparnas XVII in Solo, Transjakarta Sends 10 Low Entry Bus Units

There are 20 sport branches to be competed up to October 13 and participated by 4,625 athletes and officials from 35 provinces.

The Peparnas XVII Ceremony was entertained by the performance of the legendary band, God Bless. A number of ministers from the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet (KIM) were also present at the Manahan Stadium. Among them were the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Ario Bimo Dito Ariotedjo, Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, Chief of Police General Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and a number of other related officials.

The opening of Peparnas XVII was also marked by a parade of participants from 35 provinces, including Jakarta which sent 167 of its best athletes. Each contingent was escorted by Paskibraka carrying their respective regional flags and companions wearing their traditional clothes. The opening of Peparnas was also marked by the lighting of the torch by one of the disabled athletes.

Jokowi said that so far Indonesia has won three times in a row of international championship in the international Paralympic Games, namely the 2017, 2022 and 2023 Asean Paragames. Therefore, the entire Indonesian nation is invited to participate in making the XVII Peparnas in Solo a success.

"Peparnas is not only an event to provide potential athletes and record breakers. But also as a stage of equality for all disabled athletes to show their best abilities," Jokowi said.

Chairman of the Grand Committee (PB) of Peparnas 2024, DB Susanto explained that the preparation for this event has been very optimal. He hopes that the entire series of events which will last until October 13, can run smoothly and successfully.

"Thanks God we've completed the opening and preparation," he stated.

Peparnas XVII is about to deliver 680 match numbers and 20 sports that are competed. The details are Para Archery, Boccia, Para Athletics, Para Chess, Para Cycling, Para Badminton, CP (Cerebral Palsy) Football, Para Table Tennis.

Then, Para Shooting, Para Swimming, Tenpin Bowling, Wheelchair Fencing, Blind Judo, Para Weightlifting, Para Taekwondo, Sitting Volleyball, and Wheelchair Tennis. Two other sports are Para E-Sport and Wheelchair Basketball with exhibition status.