Asian Para Games: Indonesia Confident to Enter Big 7

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 14 September 2018
Category: News
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Minister of Youth and Sport visits Asian Para Games Athletes in Bengawan Sport Center Solo, Central Java, Thursday (9/13). (Photo: Public Relations of Ministry of Youth and Sport)

Minister of Youth and Sport visits Asian Para Games Athletes in Bengawan Sport Center Solo, Central Java, Thursday (9/13). (Photo: Public Relations of Ministry of Youth and Sport)

Given maximum preparation at the national training camps, Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi expressed optimism that the Indonesian Team at the 2018 Asian Para Games can meet the target of finishing in the big 7 in the medal tally. One of the sport branches expected to contribute gold medal, he added, is bowling.

The statement was made by the Minister during his visit to bowling national training camp in Bengawan Sport Center Solo, Central Java, Thursday (9/13).

Imam also ensured that the preparation at the national training camp is already at its maximum capacity and only needs few adjustments at competition venues in Jakarta. “From bowling, we hope to win one gold medal that can help us reach the goal of finishing in 7th place,” he said.

On that occasion, the Minister said he was impressed with the potential of female athlete Elsa Maris who can win a gold medalist in bowling. According to the Minister, Elsa Maris is showing a good progress in her training.

“I tried training with Elsa. She really deserves to be a gold medalist. All she needs is our support in terms of psychical and mental preparation. And also I urge the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) to monitor the athlete’s condition, nutrition, psychological condition, so they can achieve maximum results and tackle non-technical difficulties,” the Minister said, adding that the athlete tryout results are important and cannot be ignored.

The Minister added that the athletes would not find difficulties adapting with the venues. “Related to the venue in Jakarta, the 10 athletes (3 females, 7 males) are expected to quickly adapt to the venues although they are old venues,” he said.

In the meantime, APG Bowing Coach Waluyo said: “Tryout results are our benchmark. From tryouts, we can make sure that athletes have competed with other athletes that may not participate at the Asian Para Games (APG).” He also acknowledged that bowling has a big change to contribute to gold medals.

“It is true the potential of gold medal is 99 percent from Elsa based on her tryout result in Malaysia. Her rivals are four people from three nations (South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore),” Waluyo said.

For the record, Indonesia finished at 14th place at the 2010 APG in Guangzhou with 1 gold medal, 5 silver medals, and 5 bronze medals, while at the 2014 2nd APG in Incheon, the country finished in 9th place, earning 9 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals.

At the 2018 3rd APG in Jakarta, Indonesia’s NPC has set the target of finishing 7th with 17 medals, with the prediction of medals earned in athletics branch earning (2 gold medals), badminton (4 gold medals), chess (4 gold medals), power lifting (1 gold medal), swimming (4 gold medals), and table tennis (2 gold medals).  (Public Relations of Ministry of Youth and Sport/ES/EN) (HYP/EP/Naster)

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