Do Your Best For The Country, President Jokowi Tells Para Games Athletes

President Jokowi took self-photo with a number of Indonesia Para Games athletes at Merdeka Palace yard, Tuesday (2/10) (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (2/10) at the Merdeka Palace led a send-off ceremony for Indonesian athletes and official teams that will compete in 2018 Asian Para Games.

On that occasion, the President told the athletes to fight and work hard to give the best results at the Games, which is to be held on 6-13 October 2018.

“I can see all of you have practiced very hard during training session. I hope you can do your best for the glory of the country,” the President said.

President Jokowi went on say that Indonesia’s target is to be in top 8 with 16 gold medals and expressed confidence that Indonesian athletes will be able to deliver at the Games. “All Indonesian people want to witness the country’s victory and see our national flag raised and the national anthem sung in every match,” the President said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also asked athletes to take a moment of silence to pray for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Donggala and Lombok.

In the meantime, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani reported that the Indonesian contingent for 2018 Asian Para Games constitute 425 personnel, including 300 athletes and 125 officials.

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 at 9th place, earning 9 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals.

Joining the President in the ceremony were Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Chairperson of the Indonesian Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) Raja Okto Saptahari, and Indonesian Chef de Mission Arminsyah. (GUN / RAH / ES) (STU/EP/Naster)