The ceremony also included dancing and singing performances by famous local artistes. There were several local dances from different regions and songs performed by national artistes such as Anggun and Nowela.
To prevent the transmission of COVID-19, the Peparnas Papua grand committee (PB) implemented strict health protocols and restrictions on visitors.
Nevertheless, all Indonesians could witness the splendor of the ceremony, which was titled "Light from East: Papua", through various platforms, one of which was the YouTube live streaming service on the Peparnas XVI Papua 2021 channel.
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The grand committee had handed out 20 invitations to VVIP guests, 120 to ministries and institutions, and 1,200 to the community, vice chairman II of PB Peparnas Papua, Hans Hamadi, said.
Meanwhile, the number of supporters involved in the opening ceremony and activities was pegged at 900-1,000 people, he informed.
To prevent crowding, performers directly exited the opening ceremony venue after executing an activity or procession, he said.
The opening ceremony concluded with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin officially launching the largest sports event in Indonesia for athletes with disabilities.
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Athletes from 33 provinces in the country gathered in the middle of Mandala Stadium for the ceremony.
After several welcomes from the PB Peparnas organizer, NPC Indonesia (National Paralympic Committee of Indonesia), and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, visitors who attended both on-site and virtually were treated to a display of 500 drones brought from California and Dubai.
The pilots flying the drones were from Europe and Singapore.
Peparnas Papua will take place in two clusters in Jayapura city and Jayapura district. The sporting event began on November 2 and will conclude on November 15, 2021.
A total of 1,985 athletes from 33 provinces are competing in 12 sports at the event: powerlifting, athletics, boccia, badminton, chess, judo, shooting, archery, swimming, cerebral palsy football, wheelchair tennis court, and table tennis.
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Translator: M Ramdan, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
