Indonesia Should Set Target to Become Overall Champion of 2017 SEA Games: President Jokowi

Presiden Jokowi responds to the journalists’ questions after sending off the athletes of SEA Games XXIX, at center yard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (7/8) (Photo: PR/ Oji)7

President Joko ‘Jokowi Widodo denied the assumption that SEA Games XXIX of 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is just a trial event for the 2018 Asian Games to be held in Palembang and Jakarta.

“SEA Games is SEA Games. If the target is gold or overall champion, the athletes must work hard to achieve it. SEA Games could be a stepping stone or a preparation for the Asian Games,” President Jokowi told the journalists.

The President reminded that as a big country, Indonesia should set a target to become an overall champion at SEA Games XXIX. Indonesia has been the overall champion of SEA Games for 10 times; it will be better if Indonesia can make it 11 times.

Concerning competition with other countries, according to the President, all countries are the same. They prepare themselves to compete to be the champion.

“All athletes must set a target to get a gold medal. It will  be a great achievement for them that will make them proud,” the President said.

Therefore, the President added, continuous learning and improvement are important by joining various competitions. All kinds of sports must do this. Moreover, it is also important to prepare a good competition system, good coaching system, and good budgeting system.

“If the athletes join a lot of competitions, it will be good for their improvement. It’s the key,” the President concluded. (FID/OJI/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)