Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Palestinian athletes received a warm greeting when entering the Bung Karno Main Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Para Games held in Jakarta.

"Indonesia ... Indonesia ... Indonesia ... shouted the audience in the stadium on Saturday night."

President Joko Widodo, who declared the event open, also stood up and joined in the waving.

The songs, "Kebyar Kebyar" and "Garuda on my chest", accompanied the groups of athletes wearing red and white costumes. They (athletes) walked while waving the Red and White flag.

This excitement provoked athletes from other countries to dance, including athletes sitting in wheelchairs, who swayed vigorously.

Indonesian athletes entered the final stage, accompanied by a plaque carrier with the disability model of Rosalina Oktavia and MOMO Mascot.

Apart from the Indonesian athletes, a group of athletes from Palestine also received the liveliest response.

A total of 2,762 Asian Para Games athletes from 43 countries entered the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Saturday night, with a rousing welcome from the audience.

Meanwhile, the placard carrier used flower costumes as a symbol of the diversity of flora in Indonesia, a variety of differences that attracted the nation.

The 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta is the third event after the first one held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010, and in Incheon, South Korea in 2014.

The presence of athletes, who will compete for 512 gold medals from the 18 sports contested, was accompanied by various famous songs in Asia.

The Indonesian contingent to the Asian Para Games 2018 comprised 296 athletes, 40 coaches, 18 managers, 35 coach assistants, and 33 officials.

The Asian Para Games will witness the participation of 41 countries, with a total of 2,800 athletes, 1,800 officials, and 500 mediapersons, both from within the country and abroad.

As many as 18 sports to be contested in the event are basketball, volleyball, fencing, table tennis, swimming, shooting, judo, cycling, chess, weightlifting, bowling, goal ball, badminton, running, archery, boccia, handball, and tennis.



Reporting by Monalisa
Editing by Bustanudfin

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018