We had got a good response from the media crew.
Surakarta, C Java (ANTARA) - The Indonesian ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee (INASPOC) provided two disabled massage therapists to serve the media crew during the implementation of the 11th ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Surakarta City, Central Java Province.

"It is a good opportunity, especially to show that we (disabled people) can (also) strive," a blind therapist, Sartono, stated at the 11th APG Media Center here on Saturday.

The service has been provided for free from July 29 to August 6, 2022.

"We had received a good response from the media crew. Yesterday, (Friday, July 29), at the opening of the service, some 16 journalists sought our services, including journalists from Malaysia," Sartono noted.

He works with his colleague, Sugeng, who is also blind, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB, UTC+7) every day.

The media staff, who sought their services usually had minor health problems, such as fatigue and muscle ache, Satono remarked.

Satono -- who is also a civil servant at the Central Java Provincial Social Affairs Office -- noted that it was his first time to be involved in a Southeast Asian multi-sports event.

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However, he has often participated in several local social activities, such as providing voluntary massage therapy to the refugees at the Haji Donohudan Dormitory, Surakarta City.

Sartono has been practicing massage therapy after attending a course held by the Cultural Affairs Office of Central Java Province in collaboration with a non-governmental organization in October 2016.

The INASPOC has readied a relaxation room next to the media center on the fifth floor of the Swiss-Belinn Saripetojo Hotel, Surakarta City, equipped with five automatic massage chairs as well as two chairs to enjoy the massage provided by the two disabled therapist.

The committee also provided free drinking water for the massage service users.

The 11th APG will be inaugurated on Saturday (July 30) evening by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta City.

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Translator: Dewa Wiguna, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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