President Jokowi Sends Off Athletes to Asian Games in Hangzhou
President Jokowi Tuesday (09/19) sends off the 2023 Asian Games contingent at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (09/19) officially sent off the Indonesian contingent to the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Today, we will send off a contingent of 576 people to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou China, to compete in 30 sports,” the President said at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
Like during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang wen the Indonesian contingent was able to finish 4th, President Jokowi expressed hope that in Hangzhou, Indonesia can also join the top 10.
This target is above the target set by Ministry of Youth and Sports, which aims for 12th place.
“Not 12, I would like us to be in the top 10. I know being a host and not being a host is different, I know. So again, my target is to enter the top 10. Normally my estimation does not miss,” he said.
Closing his remarks, the President expressed hope that the competing athletes can achieve the most favorable results.
“I wish you a successful game. And, on behalf of the people, the nation, and the state, I look forward to as many achievements and gold medals we can win,” he said.
Previously, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo reported that the Indonesian contingent of 576 people consisted of 413 athletes, 132 officials, and 28 chef de mission (CdM) team members.
As many as 78 athletes and officials, Dito said, have departed and started the match early in Hangzhou, while 110 athletes and officials are still carrying out training camps abroad, and 360 others are still in Indonesia.
“The big entourage will start their departure on September 21, 2023,” Dito said.
Dito added that this Asian Games is meant to be an intermediate goal to achieve brilliant achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“According to the Grand Design of National Sports, the 19th Asian Games in 2022 is an intermediate goal to make achievements at the Olympics, the main target,” Dito said, adding that the Indonesian athletes competing in 30 out of 40 branches are expected to bring home at least eight gold medals.
“We ask for support and prayers from the whole nation so that Indonesia can become a winner,” Dito said. (TGH/DK/UN)(FI/EP)
