Three Languages to be Used During Islamic Solidarity Games

Palembang, South Sumatra (Antara) - Three languages, namely English, Arabic and Spanish, will be used during the implementation of the Third Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) to be held in Palembang, South Sumatra, September 22 to October 1, 2013. The three languages will be used because the Games will be participated by among other things Middle Eastern, former Soviet, and Southeast Asian countries, Meiriza of the ISG organizing committee, said here on Wednesday. Twenty five countries have confirmed their participation in the Games, namely Maldives, Syria, Oman, Brunei Darussalam, Iraq, Sudan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tunisia, Iran, Gambia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Suriname, Mozambique, Albania, Algeria, Guinea, Turkey and Indonesia. The Third ISG will have around 1,759 athletes and 624 officials, and hold 13 sports to be competed, such as swimming, gymnastic, athletic, football, taekwondo, weightlifting, karate, badminton, archery, shooting, and basketball. The Indonesian government has decided to move the venue of the Third ISG 2013 from Riau Province to South Sumatra Province. The decision was taken in a coordinating meeting held in Jakarta on July 2, 2013, and attended by among others Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Roy Suryo and Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali. South Sumatra was the venue of the 24th SEA Games in 2011. (*)