VP Ma’ruf Amin Opens 16th National Paralympic Games
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin opens the 16th National Paralympic Games (Peparnas), Friday (5/11). (Photo by: Vice Presidential Secretariat)
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin Friday (05/11) officially opened the 16th National Paralympic Games (Peparnas) held in the eastern Indonesian province of Papua.
In his opening remarks, the Vice President said that he opened the Peparnas on behalf of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo who is on a quarantine after a state visit to Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“The President ordered me to officially open the Games and he will close the Games later. On the last PON (National Games), the President opened the Games and I closed it whereas on this Games, I open it and the President will close it,” he said.
Nevertheless, according to Ma’ruf, President Jokowi sent his regard to the public and teams of the Games through a video message, while apologizing for not being able to attend the opening ceremony and ensuring that he will attend the closing ceremony.
For the record, the opening ceremony featured various performers, beginning with Indonesian singer Anggun singing national anthem with 150 Papuan children. The event was then followed by performances from Indonesia’s top singers Edo Kondologit and Putri Ariani.
Papuan traditional dance performed by 950 Papuan children as well as traditional music performance and marching band also enlivened the opening ceremony.
Afterwards, athletes led by Chief of the Indonesia’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Senny Marbun, marched and entered the Mandala Stadium, followed by the Peparnas flag hoisted by representatives of Papuan athletes and remarks delivered by Governor of Papua Lukas Enembe who chaired the 16th Peparnas Committee.
The event was then continued with an oath-taking ceremony from the representatives of athlete and referee, and flame lighting ceremony.
The 16th Peparnas is held on 2 to 13 November 2021 in 12 venues in capital Jayapura and regency of Jayapura. It featured 12 sports and 654 events with 2,146 athletes participating in the event. (FID/UN) (RAS/EP)
