22-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia has received a promising offer from Special Olympics International (SOI) to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG), a proposal that has been welcomed by Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo.
Following a meeting with the Chief Operating Officer and President of Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Region in Berlin, the offer was extended to Minister Ariotedjo and Warsito Ellwein, the Chairperson of Special Olympics Indonesia (SOIna). SOI’s Chief Operating Officer, Lou Lauria, expressed his enthusiasm for further discussions on the matter.
Minister Ariotedjo expressed his appreciation for the offer and revealed that he would discuss it with President Joko Widodo after the conclusion of the ongoing 2023 SOWG in Berlin, scheduled to end on June 25.
The offer from SOI comes as a result of their recognition of Indonesia’s positive development in promoting inclusiveness. The country has also successfully hosted various multi-sport events, including the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.
Impressed by Indonesia’s track record, SOI officially proposed that the country host the 2027 SOWG. According to Minister Ariotedjo, SOI chose Indonesia as the next host for the World Games after Germany, considering Indonesia’s continuous development and iconic status in the region. The minister further highlighted that Indonesia has the necessary facilities, having hosted numerous major events in Olympic-standard venues.
Warsito Ellwein, the Chairperson of SOIna, affirmed that the discussions with SOI went smoothly, underscoring Indonesia’s success in organizing international multi-sport events. This initial talk serves as an indicator of SOI’s confidence in Indonesia’s capabilities.
Indonesia has participated in the Special Olympics World Games nine times since its inaugural participation in the 1991 edition held in Minnesota, USA. While initially aiming to host the 2031 edition, the offer from SOI for the 2027 Games presents an earlier opportunity that has been warmly received by the Indonesian delegation.
