Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Sending-Off Ceremony of Athletes Competing in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, September 19, 2023
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good morning,
Peace and prosperity be upon us.
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.
Honorable Ministers, Chairperson of the National Olympic Committee Indonesia (KOI), Chairperson of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee (KONI), CdM (Chef de Mission), coaches, officials, and athletes.
Today, we will send off a contingent of 576 people to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou China to compete in 30 sports.
I am going to say that at the Asian Games in Jakarta, we are ranked 4th. Even though Minister of Youth and Sports has calculated that we will approximately be in the 12th place, for me, the gap is way too far. 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.
This concludes my remarks. 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.
And, by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby dispatch the Indonesian contingent to the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games 2022-2023.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(FI/EP)