President Jokowi Expresses Appreciation to Athletes in 17th National Paralympic Week Opening Ceremony
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, opens the 17th National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) of 2024 at the Manahan Stadium, Surakarta city, Central Java province, Sunday evening (10/6). (Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Vico)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, opened the 17th National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) of 2024 at the Manahan Stadium, Surakarta city, Central Java province, on Sunday evening, October 6, 2024. In his remarks, the President expressed his appreciation for the para-athletes’ accomplishments in various sports.
“We should all be proud because Indonesian para-athletes have an extraordinary fighting spirit. They have accomplished astonishing achievements. In the ASEAN Para Games event, for example, Indonesia won the overall championship three times in a row: 2017, 2022, and 2023,” the President said.
President Jokowi invited all parties to participate in making the National Paralympic Week a success. According to him, the purpose of the Paralympic Week is not only to produce potential athletes but also to provide equality for all para-athletes.
“Let’s make National Paralympic Week a success, not only as an event to produce potential athletes and new record-breakers but also as a stage of equality for all para-athletes to show their best abilities,” he said.
According to the President, this Paralympic Week is special. Especially, he took a flight from the Nusantara Capital (IKN) to Surakarta city to open the 17th National Paralympic Week of 2024 at the Manahan Stadium.
“This Paralympic week is special for me. This afternoon I flew from IKN to Solo for the opening of the 17th National Paralympic Week, specially to meet the athletes and officials. I am delighted to meet all of you tonight,” he said.
On that occasion, the President expressed his gratitude to the regional government of Surakarta city and the citizens who have supported the 17th National Paralympic Week.
“I would like to express my gratitude to regional government of Surakarta city and people of Central Java province who have supported National Paralympic Week of 2024,” he stated
Additionally, he also invited all athletes to apply good sportsmanship in competition and uphold brotherhood among fellow athletes.
“Let’s compete in an atmosphere of brotherhood and fight with a spirit of sportsmanship,” he concluded.
The 17th National Paralympic Week will be held from 6 to 13 October 2024. The athletes will compete in 20 sporting events, among others, para-badminton, para-chess, para-swimming, boccia, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair fencing. A total of 4,625 athletes and officials will participate in the games that will be held in four different locations, namely Surakarta city, Karanganyar regency, Boyolali regency, and Sukoharjo regency. (TGH/ABD)(AW/MMB)
