Indonesia 2018: Jakarta marks 100 days to go

“Staging these Games is an important part of our plan to grow the Paralympic movement in Asia."

The Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games Organising Committee (INAPGOC) has marked 100 days to go until the Games with a colourful celebration at the Para Athlete Village in Jakarta.

Athletes, organisers, volunteers and celebrities gathered on Thursday (28 June) to celebrate the Games, which will be held in the city from 6-13 October.

Organisers hope the Games will inspire Indonesians and make Jakarta a better nation for people with impairment.

Asian Paralympic Committee President, Majid Rashed, commented: “Staging these Games is an important part of our plan to grow the Paralympic movement in Asia. The organisers share our vision and are working tirelessly to make these Games a huge success.”

The test events for the Games also kicked off as part of the 100 days to go celebration. The test events, which include swimming, athletics and wheelchair basketball, mostly feature Indonesian athletes with the prime focus being the testing of venues, infrastructure and facilities.

One test event will serve as a qualification tournament for Indonesia 2018; the table tennis competition. The tournament, which runs from 1-3 July, will see athletes from 13 countries compete for Asian Para Games slots and Tokyo 2020 qualification points.

INAPGOC chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari said: “Everyone is working hard to make it one of the successful Games. We are supported by the government. We are confident of delivering a successful [Asian] Para Games”.

Indonesia 2018 will be the third edition of the Asian Para Games, with around 3,000 athletes competing in 18 sports.