Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, has said he is optimistic about the success of the XVI National Paralympic Week (Peparnas), which Papua province is currently preparing to host.

A coordination meeting took place between the Peparnas Committee head and the regional Youth and Sports Office head, the minister informed adding, the officials had provided him an update on the preparation for the games.

Amali expressed confidence the Peparnas will go smoothly as the games would be hosted only in Jayapura, in contrast with the PON XX National Games, which were hosted in four regions in the province.

"There would be a total of only 3,500 participants, comprising athletes, coaches, and officials, that would participate in the Peparnas' 12 sports competitions hosted only in Jayapura city and district," the minister stated.

The Peparnas committee could learn from the mistakes and opportunities of the recently-concluded PON XX National Games to improve the conduct of the sports event, he added.

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"I am convinced the Peparnas would be successful as its execution should be less difficult, and the committee can learn from the earlier PON XX Games," Amali remarked.

The Peparnas XVI Games will be hosted in Jayapura city and Jayapura district, Papua from November 2-15, 2021.

A total of 1,935 athletes from Indonesia provinces are expected to participate in 12 sports competitions at the event: weightlifting, athletics, boccia, badminton, chess, judo, shooting, archery, swimming, cerebral palsy football, wheelchair tennis, and table tennis.

Earlier, the Papua Peparnas Committee deputy head II Hand Hamadi had expressed Papua province's readiness to host the games and welcome the arrival of Peparnas athletes and officials.

"I assure you that the preparation progress for the ceremony, competitions, accommodation, transportation, foods, and security, are all on the track," Hamadi said.

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Translator: M Ramdan, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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