UNS — The city of Surakarta was officially lined up to host the 2022 ASEAN Para Games earlier this year. This City of Batik appointment was based on the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) decision after Vietnam refused to host the most prestigious sporting event for people with disabilities in ASEAN. This appointment was also welcomed by the Chair of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Senny Marbun, and the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Sports expert at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Febriani Fajar Ekawati, M.Or., Ph.D. said that the grand event has the potential to revive the said city economy. The two main sectors affected by the 2022 ASEAN Para Games are the industrial and tourism sector.
Furthermore, Febriani said that the sports industry would improve, especially in several fields. First, the sports infrastructure will undoubtedly be improved. This situation is closely related to the infrastructure required for persons with disabilities. Not only on the field, but disability-friendly infrastructure must also be prepared in the surrounding environment around the competition area, including accommodation for athletes. Another expected improvement is match management and organization, including match ticketing.
“This can be an opportunity for the sports industries to show off their quality to the international world, especially the sports industries around Solo,” said Febriani in a webinar entitled “The Potential of ASEAN Para Games to Support Industry and Tourism” on Tuesday ( 8/2/2022).
Furthermore, sports training will also trigger the sports industry to produce the sports tools needed. This condition will stimulate the production of sports goods, while the mass media industry will be improved with the transformation of broadcasting rights, and media will become highly valued. On the other hand, the tourism sector will also be blessed with this biennial sporting event. Febriani divides the benefits of the ASEAN Para Games for the tourism sector into two types, namely tangible and intangible benefits. Tangible refers to the benefits realized by the hotel sector with the soaring room occupancy by ASEAN Para Games participants starting from athletes, coaches, and officials.
High occupancy will automatically increase their turnover, which shrinks during the pandemic. Not only increase in room occupancy, but the shops around the hotel can also sell daily necessities and souvenirs. The culinary field will also receive similar shares of guests’ interests. As for the intangible benefits, the icon of Solo will be displayed to the worldwide community. Several international media will report exciting happenings in the Solo, thus promoting the city to be known by the broader global community.
Further, Febriani also revealed several other impacts of the ASEAN Para Games in Solo. These impacts include opening up employment opportunities, building a positive city image for the world, and indispensable experiences. Numerous new jobs opportunities will be available following the ASEAN Para Games event, such as translators, drivers, and volunteers.
“The ASEAN Para Games participants are coming from other countries. Naturally, some of them do not speak Indonesian; hence, translators are needed when there is an event like this,” added the lecturer, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian Society for Adapted Physical Education (ISAPE).
Febriani added that sports fields in Indonesia would also be improved because of the new competitions prepared, which will allow Indonesia to participate in all competitions numbers. In this way, Indonesian sports will be growing. The sports facilities will also be enhanced in order to fulfill the ASEAN Para Games participants’ needs. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti