Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 11th ASEAN Para Games at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia on July 30 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — The ASEAN Para Games(APG) raised its curtain on July 30 with a vibrant opening ceremonythat included a spectacular fireworks display and exciting cultural and musicalperformances in Surakarta City, Indonesia.
The Games were officially opened by Indonesian Vice PresidentMa'ruf Amin, paving the way for an exciting seven days of action until theclosing ceremony on August 6.
The cauldron was lit by Paralympic shooter Hanik Puji Hastutiafter Indonesian ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee head GibranRakabuming Raka delivered his opening address.
The hosts welcomed almost 1,200 athletes to the 11th APG alongwith some 15,000 spectators at the 20,000-capacity multi-purpose ManahanStadium who were treated to amazing live performances by famous comedian DoditMulyanto and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.
They also enjoyed a magnificent fireworks display and the finalewas a highly-entertaining performance by popular singer Nella Kharisma.
The Vietnamese athletes came to the regional biennial sport meetwith 153 members including 120 athletes.
They set a target of 40 gold medals, as many as five years ago inthe ninth edition in Malaysia. It is expected that the result will help them finishin the top group.
Indonesia organises 14 sports in the 11th APG and Vietnam willtake part in eight.
The first athletes to start their journey are badminton players inteam events and masters in standard chess.
The 2019 edition in the Philippineswas initially postponed for financial reasons before being cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam also cited the pandemic in cancelling the Gameslast year. Indonesia stepped in to host the event for the second time after the2011 edition, which was also held in Surakarta./.
