3rd Islamic Solidarity Games in Riau 6-17 June 2013

Indonesia was elected as the host of the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games. Currently, Riau slightly move on to speed up the process of venues preparation. This will be the biggest event after previous national sports event (PON XVII).One of the winning election factors of Riau as the host city is its location, which is close to Singapore and Malaysia. It makes Riau as a strategic location for attended countries for the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games. Riau has strong Islamic culture and tradition.

Preparation for the international sports event that will be attended by 57 Islamic countries from all over the world will be more easy because it will use venues that been used for the national sports event. The quality of venues will be increased to international venues standard.

The delegation of ISSF with the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI) already visited venues on July 2011. In the Consolidation Meeting of ISSF ~ Inspection and Coordination Committee of the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games, ISSF said that they were satisfied with Riau's effort to develop and prepare the venues.

Mohamed Shaled Gadzar, the secretary general of ISSF, said that swimming venues must be adjusted to international standard. But, he's very sure that Riau will be able to adjust the venues soon. 'Riau is appropriated to be the host of ISG. Supported by international infrastructure scale, Riau will be a successful host of ISG, because all of the venues concentrated into one area,' said Gadzar. He's seems to be satisfied and optimistic that the development stages will be finished on schedule.

There will be 18 sports to compete, like Aquatic (swimming, diving, water polo), gymnastic, athletic, football, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, karate, badminton, pencaksilat, archery, shooting, wrestling, basketball, handball, tennis, table tennis, fencing, and cycling. Sepaktakraw will be exhibited in this event. But, still no warm-up venues seen yet.

'The venues are almost ready to use. The venues look good, but we will have to keep in mind that we do not yet know the number of teams and sports that will attend. Standard medical facilities near the athletes village and the venues will be needed,' said Abdul Khaliq Khan from ISSF.

'We will further cooperate to make our dream come true and make Islam stronger. After this we hope that this event will increase solidarity and understanding between all of us. Actually, I am expecting our guests to stay longer and witness the closing ceremony,' said Rusli Zainal, the Governor of Riau in ICCM Meeting. 'We will prepare it better. And we will work on it and discuss it with the people from Jakarta.'


sourced from http://www.inaisgoc2013.or.id

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