RIAU PROVINCE READY TO HOST ISLAMIC GAMES 2013
2012-12-03 | 13:55:20
Pekanbaru, Riau, 19 Muharram/3 November 2012 (MINA) – Riau provincial government ensures the 13th Islamic Solidarity Games in June 2013 will take place as scheduled.
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) received information from Riau Public Relations Office, Monday, the certainty for the 13th ISG schedule was based on the fact the province has already had all the required sports infrastructure and the supporting facilities intended for such a grand sports event.
Riau provincial government is also ready to be tested by ISG Federation. Some ISGF representatives had even observed the province’s capability to host the major event as they had come and witnessed the 18th Indonesian National Sports Week (PON) on 9-20 November 2012 in Riau.
The only facility that still needs improvement is swimming as the one in Pekanbaru has only eight lanes, whereasinternational standard swimming pool must have at least 10 lines. Riau province will immediately add two more additional lanes in accordance with that requirement.
While for other sports arena there is no problem as they have been designed to international standards and even the many guests who came for the PON provided a very good appreciation of the sports facilities owned Riau Province.
For example, for archery arena inside the campus of Islamic University of Riau (UIR) in Pekanbaru, has been declared the best sporting arenas in Asia and only a few levels below the archery arena at Hyundai Sports Center, Korea.
In connection with the international grand event, Riau Governor Rusli Zainal and the Central Government held a coordination meeting on 29 November 2012 at the office of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) in Senayan, Jakarta. Governor Rusli Zainal is responsible for the technical implementation of the 13th ISG in his region.
Nineteen of the total 57 countries members of ISGF have confirmed to participate at the event which will be held on June 6-17, 2013, based on data from athletes and officials sent to the Indonesian ISG National Committee. The registered delegates from the 19 countries have reached 3233 people.
The largest contingents will be from Iran numbering 325 participants athletes and officials, followed by Iraq (325), Malaysia (299), Kuwait (284), Maroco (281), Tunisia (280), Syria (241), Oman (204), Brunei Darussalam (197), Tunisia (180), Uganda (172), Maldives (122), Pakistan (122), Yemen (112), Bahrain (49), Benin (48), Gambia (27), Libya (23) and Guyana (18).
In addition to showing sports matches, the ISG-3 will also be celebrated with a variety of other related events, including business and investment forums, cultural events and orchid festival to be participated by ISG participating countries.
The 13th ISG will contest 17 sports events, atletics, archery, aquatic, badminton, basketball (U-23), Football (U-23), gymnastics, karate, pencak silat, sepak takraw, climbing sports, taekwondo, tennis, traditional boat race, Indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, weightlifting and wushu. (T/R-10/R-03/R-007).
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
