After Cambodia SEA Games Athletes, Jokowi Targets Champion

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) released 599 athletes who will compete in the 32nd South East Asia Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia today, Tuesday (2/5/2023). The President gave the target for the Indonesian contingent to win or at least be in second place in the final standings.

“At the Vietnam SEA Games (2021), we won 69 gold medals and we are in third place. Now it should be more than that, I ask for the gold to be above 69 and the rank is also above three. There are only two choices, first or second place,” said Jokowi.

The Indonesian contingent will start departing on May 4. Although some athletes have left earlier because the match schedule has already started.

The total number of participants included in the Indonesian contingent was 884 people consisting of 599 athletes, 230 coaches and officials, 55 doctors, medical personnel and the recovery team.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo said he was optimistic about the target given by the president. Even though the Indonesian contingent is actually targeting 60 medals and 3rd place in the final standings.

Dito explained that at this event, a number of Indonesia’s mainstay sports were not contested. From a number of sports that are not contested, according to Dito, Indonesia will lose a total of 39 gold medals. Dito admitted that the target given by the President was a motivation to aim for a better position.

“That has been the direction of the highest leadership, our commander-in-chief. So we as soldiers will try our best to reach that target. We hope that the motivation and targets from Mr. President will be used as the maximum reference so that the Indonesian contingent can achieve more than that,” said Dito.

The 32nd SEA Games will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 5-17 May 2023.

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