Rajamala as an Icon of the Upcoming 2022’s ASEAN Para Games

On Sunday, June 3rd, 2022, the countdown towards the 11th ASEAN Para Games in Solo was held in Loji Gandrung along with Solo Car Free Day. Besides the countdown, the event was also used as a launching ceremony for the icon of the upcoming 2022’s ASEAN Para Games, Rajamala.

The reason behind Rajamala’s election to become the mascot of the sporting events is that Rajamala was known as an unrivaled figure and the symbol of power to defy evils. That’s not all, the red mascot also has a strong connection with the royal family of Surakarta, Keraton Kasunanan Hadiningrat Surakarta in the form of a Canthik, a relic that depicts the mightiness of Keraton Surakarta during that time.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the mayor of Surakarta stated that all preparations have been complete in terms of support and the event’s venue, “Some companies, be it BUMN or private, support the ASEAN Para Games in Solo, their support varies from financial to commodity that will be part of the event’s promotion on Social Media.”

Regarding the facilities for the athletes that will visit and compete in ASEAN Para Games, Gibran adds that approximately 1800 athletes that compete in 14 sporting events will come to Solo via Adi Soemarmo airport and the government has prepared everything for the athletes from hotels to transportation in free charge for audiences.

Besides that, the launching of Rajamala as a mascot of the event, the tagline of the 11th ASEAN Para Games was also revealed along with a Reog Ponorogo performance, the tagline of the event that will be held from July 30th until August 6th will be “Striving in Equality” with Wayang Gunungan and Keris Ladrang Surakarta symbolizing the new stage of recovery after the pandemic, and the symbol of the athletes’ spirit respectively.

At the end of the event on Sunday, Osoth Bhavilai, the president of ASEAN Para Sport Federation (APSF) rode the Reog Ponorogo to enliven the countdown towards ASEAN Para Games in Solo, as well as closing the event with Surakarta’s mayor by giving away notebooks for people who visited during the Car Free Day.

By , Alisa Noory