TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi was scheduled to close the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Central Java, tonight, August 6. Indonesia was named the champion of the games after collecting 171 gold medals, 138 silvers, and 110 bronzes.

"The closing ceremony event is held at Manahan Stadion, Surakarta," as stated in the written statement on Saturday, August 6.

Accompanied by his wife, Iriana Joko Widodo, the president left for Surakarta, Central Java, using presidential aircraft at 9:50 this morning. They departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, to Adi Soemarmo Airport in Boyolali.

State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Presidential Secretary Chief Heru Budi Hartono, Presidential Military Secretary TNI's Air Vice-marshal M. Tonny Harjono, and the commander of presidential security force TNI's Air Vice-marshal Wahyu Hidayat, were also included in the entourage. Besides closing the ASEAN Para Games event, Jokowi was also scheduled to conduct several working visits.

The 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 had been running for a week since the opening which was officiated by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Saturday, July 30.

Surakarta Mayor, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was appointed as the acting chief of Indonesia ASEAN Para Games 2022 Organizing Committee (INASPOC), promised that the closing ceremony of ASEAN Para Games 2022 will be more lively than the opening ceremony on Saturday, July 30.

"[The preparation] is ready, it must be more lively," he said in Surakarta, on Wednesday.

One of the things that will enliven the closing event on Saturday, August 6, is a firework party that could be enjoyed by the public. In addition, there will be more artists and entertainers than during the opening ceremony event.

"There will be more entertainers because there will be fewer ceremonial events later," he remarked.

Fajar Pebrianto

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News