Do not waste it (the opportunity).
Belitung, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Indonesian para-cycling athlete Muhammad Fadli Imammuddin said it was a pleasant surprise to be asked to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 11th ASEAN Para Games (APG).

The ceremony will be held at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta City, Central Java Province, on Saturday (July 30).

"The request was just conveyed yesterday (on Thursday, July 28), still I am delighted to partake in the big event," the athlete told Antara on the sidelines of a social activity that is part of the Tour of Kemala Belitong 2022 here on Friday.

Imammuddin was scheduled to leave for Surakarta City on Friday afternoon and partake in a rehearsal for the opening ceremony on Saturday morning.

The torch will be relayed by several athletes and former Solo mayor Fransiskus Xaverius Hadi Rudyatmo before being received by him.

"I will be the last one to (hold the torch and) light it (the cauldron)," the cyclist representing Indonesia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics stated.

Imammuddin admitted that it will be the first time for him to take part in lighting a cauldron of a multi-sport event.

Shortly after receiving the news of his appointment, Imammuddin informed the committee that he was participating in the Tour of Kemala Belitong 2022.

“Still, they wanted me to participate (in the APG opening ceremony). Thus, since I had got the mandate, I had to perform it as well as possible,” he remarked.

Imammuddin said he could not contribute any medals for Indonesia since para-cycling is not contested in the 11th APG. Nonetheless, he is optimistic of the contingent emerging as the champion of the international event in accordance with the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee's (NPC's) target.

The winner of one gold, one silver, and one bronze in the 2018 Asian Para Games stated that the contingent has a huge opportunity to achieve the target since Indonesia is the host of the 11th APG.

"Do not waste it (the opportunity). We can get direct support from the family and community by being the host since all people can come (to watch the matches)," he added.

Meanwhile, the Tour of Kemala Belitong 2022 is a cycling event initiated by Kemala Bhayangkari Foundation, a non-profit organization established by the Indonesian National Police and Bhayangkari, an association for the wives of police personnel.

On Friday morning, a test ride session was also conducted as preparation for the main event of the tour that would be held in September.

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Translator: Arindra Meodia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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