Minister: 60 Percent Athletes to Join 2019 SEA Games are Juniors
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17 January 2019 07:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi said 60 percent of Indonesian contingents to join 2019 SEA Games are junior athletes.
“We [Indonesia] will send more young athletes. While most of the senior athletes will be trained to present in 2020 Olympic in Japan,” said Minister Imam when met in the DPR building, Jakarta, Wednesday.
Imam explained the plan includes preparation for senior athletes in sports that potentially bring gold medals.
According to Imam, SEA Games which is slated to take place in the Philipines will be as a stepping stone for young athletes to develop their skills to face bigger events.
“We have hosted Asian Games, and ranked top five. So, our level is no longer SEA Games, but Asian Games and Olympic,” Imam added.
However, Imam explained that the government would focus on and encourage sports branch that potentially brings home gold medals in the Olympic based on the evaluation result of the 2018 Asian Games, while sports that did not meet the target would be monitored and further evaluated.
“We have held a meeting on January 7 to decide the reward and punishment. Those sports that pass the target will be further developed, while those who could reach the target will face a penalty,” said Minister Imam Nahrawi.
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