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Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 12:22
Indonesia postpones international sports events
By Xinhua
Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 12:22 By Xinhua

An Indonesian airport health worker sprays disinfectant amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus at the Sultan Iskandar Muda International airport in Blang Bintang, Aceh province on March 16, 2020. (CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)

JAKARTA - Indonesia has delayed an international running championship and an international parachuting tournament to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the organizing committees said.

The Sumatra Jungle Run was initially scheduled to be held on April 11 in the Sultan Syarif Hasyim national parks in Riau province, the organizing committee of the event said on Tuesday.

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About 1,000 domestic and foreign runners from 10 countries and regions had confirmed their participation in the event which includes 5km, 10km and 21km races, the Sumatra Jungle Run's Race Director Wan Noveriza said.

About 1,000 domestic and foreign runners from 10 countries and regions had confirmed their participation in the event

"We have released the postponement on social media," he said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Riau province, Syamsuar, has barred sporting activities which could bring people together in an anticipatory effort to prevent the virus from spreading further, media reported.

"We have called for avoiding all kinds of gathering activities," he said.

Separately, in North Sulawesi province, the organizing committee of the 2020 International Open Parachuting Championship delayed the event which was initially scheduled to be held from March 21 to 30, in the provincial capital of Manado.

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"The committee has decided to adjourn the international sports event," said the Commander of Sam Ratulangi Air Force Base Colonel, Johny Sumaryana, who is responsible for the championship.

A total of 110 participants had confirmed participation in the sports event, according to Sumaryana.

The COVID-19 virus has lead to the death of five people and infected 172 others in Indonesia, according to the country's Ministry of Health.

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