I hope that the participating Indonesian NPC athletes will be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Sukoharjo, C Java (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo visited the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) athletes’ national training center to observe the preparations of the athletes for the 12th ASEAN Para Games (APG).

"We are proud of the Indonesian NPC athletes who will depart for the ASEAN Para Games Cambodia," he remarked here on Monday.

He said that he wanted to see the positive energy and enthusiasm of the Indonesian athletes to again become the overall champions of the regional sporting event, as previously, Indonesia had emerged as the champion of the 11th APG held in Solo city, Central Java Province, in 2022.

He noted that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had targeted Indonesian NPC athletes to bag 123 gold medals in the 12th APG which would be held in Cambodia on June 3–9, 2023.

The minister said he expects that apart from the athletes’ achievements, the organization of the Indonesian NPC as well as the welfare of the athletes would increase.

"I hope that the participating Indonesian NPC athletes will be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he stated.

He said he hoped that the athletes would continue to train optimally and pray a lot so that they would be given blessings and luck to top the final medal table standings of the sporting event.

“The athletes must be proud to represent Indonesia," Ariotedjo remarked.

He noted that the preparations of the Indonesian contingent for the 12th APG had reached around 95 percent.

"We have the potential to become the overall champion as our athletes are always superior in every event, thus, there is no doubt for NPC Indonesia (that it will again serve as a champion), and the Youth and Sports Ministry will always support (the athletes)," he said.

Special Staff to the President Angkie Yudistia said that her party has continued to collaborate with the Youth and Sports Ministry as well as NPC Indonesia to ensure that the athletes who take part in the 12th APG would be physically and mentally ready.

"The government, including Mr. President (Joko Widodo) always provides support and attention (to athletes with disabilities) through various laws and government regulations. These athletes will fight in Cambodia and they need the support from people all over Indonesia," she added.

Yudistia said she believes that athletes with disabilities would be capable of winning, and there would be more athletes who would make Indonesia proud.

"The minister (Ariotedjo) has progressive programs. Let's support athletes to be more confident in proving that Indonesia has extraordinary talent," she added.

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Translator: Bambang Marwoto, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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