Amid the grief over the earthquake in Palu, Sigi, and Donggala, Central Sulawesi, the 2018 Asian Para Games opened lively at the Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Saturday, October 6, 2018. Like the 18th Asian Games in August - September, The Asian Para Games were also opened by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
In a live broadcast, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi welcomed the Indonesian contingent parade. In fact, both of them connected the Indonesian contingent's definition by using sign language, as if to emphasize that President Jokowi was very understanding of them, supported their achievements, and was ready to give billions of rupiah bonuses to athletes of high-achieving games.
Since the beginning, President Jokowi has confirmed that the bonuses that will be received by the athletes of the games are the same as the bonuses for Asian Games athletes. This commitment is expected to be able to raise the motivation of athletes in games in Indonesia.
There are at least 2,762 Asian Para Games athletes who will compete in Jakarta, from 6 to 13 October 2018. They come from 43 countries in Asia who send their athletes at the third Asian Para Games. Previously, the Asian Para Games were held in Guangzhou (China) in 2010 and Incheon 2014.
This time, Asian Para Games competes for 512 numbers from 18 sports, namely archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, bicycle racing, goalball, judo, lawn games, weightlifting, shooting, swimming, bowling, table tennis, sitting volleyball, basketball wheelchairs, wheelchair fencing, and wheelchair tennis.
The spirit of competition and sportsmanship of Asian Para Games athletes from 43 countries will provide inspiration for the people of Asia and even the world. In the midst of limitations, people with disabilities want to be treated equally, not complain about their situation and compete to make life more meaningful.[]
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Inspirasi dari Adu Prestasi Penyandang Disabilitas: Asian Para Games 2018
Di tengah suasana duka atas musibah gempa di Palu, Sigi, dan Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah, Asian Para Games 2018 dibuka secara meriah di Stadion Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Sabtu 6 Oktober 2018. Seperti Asian Games ke-18 pada Agustus – September lalu, Asian Para Games juga dibuka oleh Presiden Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
Dalam siaran langsung, terlihat Presiden Jokowi dan Ibu Negara Iriana Jokowi menyambut parade kontingen Indonesia. Bahkan, keduanya menyambung defile kontingen Indonesia dengan menggunakan bahasa isyarat, seolah ingin menegaskan bahwa Presiden Jokowi sangat memahami mereka, mendukung prestasi mereka, serta siap memberikan bonus miliaran rupiah bagi atlet para games yang berprestasi.
Sejak awal, Presiden jokowi sudah menegaskan bahwa bonus yang akan diterima atlet para games sama dengan bonus atlet Asian Games. Komitmen ini diharapkan mampu mengangkat motivasi atlet para games di Indonesia.
Setidaknya ada 2.762 atlet Asian Para Games yang akan bertanding di Jakarta, muai 6 – 13 Oktober 2018. Mereka berasal dari 43 negara di Asia yang mengirimkan atletnya di Asian Para Games ketiga. Sebelumnya, Asian Para Games digelar di Guanzhou (China) pada 2010 dan Incheon 2014.
Kali ini, Asian Para Games mempertandingkan 512 nomor dari 18 cabang olahraga yakni panahan, atletik, bulutangkis, boccia, catur, balap sepeda, goalball, judo, lawnbowls, angkat berat, menembak, renang, boling, tenis meja, voli duduk, bola basket kursi roda, anggar kursi roda, dan tenis kursi roda.
Semangat persaingan dan sportivitas atlet Asian Para Games dari 43 negara akan memberikan inspirasi bagi masyarakat Asia bahkan dunia. Di tengah keterbatasan, para penyandang disabilitas ingin diperlakukan secara setara, tidak mengeluhkan keadaan mereka, dan bersaing untuk membuat hidup lebih berarti.[]
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