Torch of Asian Para Games 2018 arrives in Pontianak

Pontianak (Antaranews Kalbar) - On behalf of the people, Pontianak Acting Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono thanked the Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) for having selected the city as one of the destinations for the torch relay.

"(I) thank INAPGOC for having placed its trust in Pontianak to be one of the hosts of the torch relay," he stated here on Wednesday.

Kamtono remarked that all parties here supported the Games and expressed hope that it would inspire all.

"Let us revive the spirit to care for the disabled," he emphasized.

INAPGOC General Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari noted that Pontianak had given the most lively greeting to the arrival of the torch, so far, marked by the involvement of several parties.

"Thank you to all parties that have made the torch relay successful," he affirmed.

The torch was first given to Oktohari before then being handed over to West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji in the midst of local cultural performances before it was relayed to Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council Oesman Sapta Odang and later to Deputy Attorney General Arminsyah as the Indonesian Chef de Mission to the Games.

The torch was then brought to Post 3 to be handed over to Wahdina, the 2005 ASEAN Para Games gold medalist. The torch was thereafter taken to a checkpoint before being paraded on a car around the city for as far as 3.7 kilometers.

"The parade continued on foot for 1.2 kilometers before Wahdina handed it over to INAPGOC fourth deputy chairman Raden Isnanta, who then relayed it to Chief of the regional police command Inspector General Didi Haryono," he noted.

The torch would then be relayed to Sugiyono, head of the province`s prosector`s office, and then to Erlansyah, gold medalist of the National Para Games 2013.

Commander of the 12th Tanjungpura Regional Military Major General Achmad Supriyadi was the eighth recipient of the torch before it was handed over to Sultan Syarief Muhammad Melvin Al-Kadrie of the Pontianak Sultanate.

The Sultan later gave the torch to Inspector General Deden Juhara, the operations assistant of the Indonesia police chief, and then to Director of Wahid Institute Yenny Wahid before being handed over to national paralympian gold medalist in the 2016 National Para Games Ahmad Fauzi.

The parade concluded with the torch being handed over to Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono to be placed on the stage where the "Revive Spirit to Care for the Disabled" declaration was read out.

The Asian Para Games 2018, scheduled on Oct 6-13, will be attended by 2,800 athletes, 1,800 officials, and 500 media persons from home and abroad from 41 countries.

A total of 18 sports branches would be competed in the event including basketball, volleyball, fencing, table tennis, futsal, swimming, shooting, judo, cycling, chess, weight lifting, bowling, badminton, running, boccia, archery, handball, and tennis.







Reporting by Andilala

(H-YH/INE)

EDITED BY INE



(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/C/S012) 19-09-2018 14:59:51