We came here as we love Indonesia."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia was officially named the host for the Asian Para Games 2018 after the signing of the Host City Contract (HCC) of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) in Jakarta on Monday.

The HCC was signed by the secretary of Sports and Youth Minister Alfitra Salam and APC President Majid Rashed at the Sports and Youth Ministry Building, Jakarta.

"We came here as we love Indonesia," Rashed stated after the signing of the HCC.

Rashed noted that the target was mainly to offer an opportunity to the Asian Para Games athletes to compete and to excel in the games.

The agreement also contains the rights and obligations as well as the guidance for Indonesia in hosting the Asian Para Games 2018, which will be held after the Asian Games 2018.

Some standards have been set by the APC, which need to be fulfilled by the host nation such as how to arrange the qualifications until the clearance of external issues, such as immigration and security arrangements.

Deputy Minister of the Sports and Youth Ministry Faisal Abdullah remarked that the Asian Para Games 2018 would likely be held in Jakarta and some alternative venues in Palembang and Bandung by utilizing the same venues to be used for the Asian Games 2018.

Athletes from some 45 countries will be participating in 17 sporting disciplines in the Asian Para Games 2018, which will be held on October 8-18, 2016.

The Asian Para Games is a multi-sporting event held every four years after every Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. The first Asian Para Games were held in 2010 in Guangzhou, China, after the 16th Asian Games. The second Asian Para Games were held in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.

(Reporting by Bayu Kuncahyo/Uu.A059/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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