The venue of Para Badminton (BA) Competition of APG 2022 at Edutorium UMS
Source: Ihsan C. K. Sinuraya (International Civil Engineering 21’)
Solo - ASEAN Para Games was taken place again in Indonesia for this year after 10 years ago in 2011 which was also held in Solo. Back on May of 2000 ASEAN Para Games was conceptualized by Zainal Abu Zarin, the founding President of the Malaysian Paralympic Council. This event helps to promote friendships and solidarity among persons with disabilities in the ASEAN region, rehabilitates and also integrates persons with disability into mainstream society in the sport sector.
This Para Badminton competition was opened with 19 match numbers which participated by 82 athletes from 10 countries in ASEAN region consisting of Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the host for this year -Indonesia- that agreed to hold the Games Biennially on 28 April 2001 with ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) was formed on October 23rd of 2001. Edutorium of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (UMS) was selected as Para Badminton Games venue from Saturday (31/7) until Friday (5/8).
At the venue, the way to become spectators of this Para Badminton Competition was very simple. Firstly, people come to the venue lobby and check in with Peduli Lindungi application that already used in Indonesia for several times. Secondly, spectators are directed to go to Tribune H or G at the 2nd floor and 3rd floor. Thirdly, spectators choose random available seats and watch the competition. Supporter of Indonesian team seemed very enthusiastic by doing cheers.
Spectator at the venue
Source: Kenya Nurrin K (Civil Engineering 21’)
Same as the other international competition events, the APG committees were prepared for an exclusive broadcast room and area for media in the middle of tribune. They were also prepared a Venue Media Center (VMC) that placed in the Southern area of 2nd floor. At the media center, there was prepared some tables, electric plugs on each table, computer that connected with internet, printers, also hot and cold water dispenser with some other beverages. Besides that, there was also prepared some snacks and dishes for each person in the media center everyday on event. Registered media and other staffs were free to use the equipment or making a coffee inside the VMC. It’s all prepared to accommodate journalist needs when reporting the event for a week.
Met at the venue, Jarot Hernowo as the Competition Manager (CM) on Para Badminton Competition of this 11th APG 2022 event that appointed to organize both in Match number planning and Entry by name (about the number of participants) that the registration has already opened from last three months before the first match day, CM is responsible to preparing anything related to competition or in the other hand, overlaying all on the venue of competition. He said that preparation has a difference than on the latest APG 2011, although the preparation on this year is shorter, however the overall final results is a lot better because they are also supported by many sides.
In a shorter time than last APG event in Indonesia, Jarot explained that preparation has been made, firstly were service facilities for all contingents; accelerate the opening of match number and also quick access for entry by name especially for athletes from 10 countries. Secondly, facilities and equipment for match including representative venue (to the Para Sport) even Edutorium was a multifunctional building. Moreover, Edutorium UMS already had a very friendly access for the para (disable) athletes. So, they didn’t have to prepare extra component tsuch as ramp and another thing. Overall preparation and readiness are around 90%.
Interview with Jarot Hernowo, Competition Manager of Para Badminton (BA)
Source: Ihsan C. K. Sinuraya (International Civil Engineering 21’)
Jarot Hernowo rated that the Para Badminton Competition on this week could be concluded with work as planned. “The benchmark is on time, there is no too much delay on games time as we planned”, he said. In the total of 180 or 175 committee of Para Badminton Competition of this 11th APG 2022 event including the stakeholders such as guards, UMS staffs and building could be work together without any constraints
In the other hand, some volunteers shared about their obstacles that they faced on this event as Liaison Officer of some contingent, language barrier with athlete from some country that don’t speak English well was the hardest one. They needed app or extra time just for explaining what they need and the athletes from some other countries were also state the same thing. The initiative of several athletes to ease transportation by walking to the venue from hotel which turned out to be difficult was also being an obstacle for LO’s to take notes of the participant list presence. The road in front of the hotel to the venue wasn’t seems really safe for these athletes especially they who used wheelchair, even the distances was not too far. And then, for the dishes few athletes were more likely to swap with staffs or volunteers dish rather than what prepared for them because it was feel tastier for them. Otherwise, those volunteers explained these obstacles as a fun experience on this event where they have already prepared for this 11th ASEAN Para Games about two weeks before the event.
Beside the obstacles, there was a good story by one of the Para Badminton Athlete from Philippines, Joseph Clyde Belga that explained about a lot of his experience on this event. He said that the venue and overall services were really nice, the people were so nice, the weather in Solo also the same as in his home country so he didn’t worry about it. Beside the competition, he and the other Para Badminton athletes from Philippines were also enjoying the facilities of the hotel where they stay for one week in Solo such as swimming, walking around the hotel and many more activities and it feels cozy for them. Joseph adding the moral of life, “We are stepping on the same land. And in the end, we will also going to the sky (heaven). So, there is no need for us to differentiate the people and we have to be grateful about the condition or anything that we have now”.
Rector of UMS, Prof. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si. (middle) taking photo together with champions of Men’s Singles Category
Source: Ihsan C. K. Sinuraya (International Civil Engineering 21’)
Jarot Hernowo stated by holding this Para Badminton Competition, they want to introduce, popularize and bring this sport closer to the people of Solo city especially and Indonesian people generally as the host of this 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022. In the last day of this Para Badminton Competition (5/8) he hoped that, there are no obstacles in the execution of this Para Badminton until finished. In the end of event, the Indonesian national team as the host of the event was success to achieve thirteen gold medals, nine silver medals and eight bronze medals on this Para Badminton competition. This Para Badminton competition were closed with Medallion for Para Badminton winners of the day (5/8) and the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 were closed with closing ceremony that took place at Manahan Stadium on the Saturday (6/8). That also attended by President of Indonesia Joko Widodo with some other ministry of Indonesia and also the dignitaries of organization that prepared this event.
Reporter: Ihsan C. K. Sinuraya (International Civil Engineering 21’), Fadhilah Usamah A. K. (English Education 20’), Fadiya Shofar R. (Communication Science 20’) & Kenya Nurrin Khasanah (Civil Engineering 21’)
Writer: Ihsan C. K. Sinuraya (International Civil Engineering 21’)
Editor: Ayu Ukhti M (English Education 19’)
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