I am optimistic that the Indonesian contingent would be able to repeat its achievements clocked at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games. During that time, Indonesia had emerged as the overall champion
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has set a target to emerge as the overall champion in the 2020 ASEAN Para Games scheduled on January 18-25 next year.

Some 300 athletes will take part in the multi-event tournaments to be held in Philippines.

"I am optimistic that the Indonesian contingent would be able to repeat its achievements clocked at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games. During that time, Indonesia had emerged as the overall champion," Chairperson of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Senny Marbun stated in Jakarta on Monday.

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Some 300 athletes will eye glory in 16 sports to be contested in during the 2020 ASEAN Para Games. The contingents, including officials, total 550 people.

NPC Deputy Secretary Rima Ferdianto stated that of the 16 sports to be contested in, expectations rode high of bagging 70 percent of the gold medals in at least six main branches: athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, chess, and weight lifting.

"Some 70 percent of the total medals, or 70 gold medals, are expected to be earned in the sports," Ferdianto noted.

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To tackle several problems, the Chief de Mission (CdM) has also striven to provide best facilities to Indonesian athletes competing in the ASEAN Para Games 2020, including accommodation, athletes' requirements, and eligibility for facilities, as well as food and nutritional intake.

"Obstacles related to facilities will not dampen the enthusiasm of athletes, so we will not rely on the facilities at the venue," CdM of the ASEAN Para Games 2020 Andi Herman stated.

At the 2017 ASEAN Para Games, the Red and White Contingent had emerged as the overall champion by pocketing 126 gold, 75 silver, and 50 bronze medals.

Translator: Shofi A, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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