TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expects that para athletes can succeed in Asia after becoming overall champions at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games. He is hopeful that Indonesian disabled athletes will win gold medals at 2018 Asian Para Games. “If possible, to secure fifth or sixth position,” he said at the State Palace.
To achieve the target, Jokowi suggests that Indonesian contingent focus on sports that have potential to win gold medals. Indonesia ranked ninth at 2014 Asian Para Games Incheon, South Korea, bringing home 9 gold, 11 silver and 18 bronze medals.
Read: ASEAN Para Games 2017: Indonesia Dominates Weightlifting
Indonesian para athletes have the potential to improve their rank in the next Asian Para Games following their success at 2017 ASEAN Para Games with 126 gold, 75 silver, and 50 bronze medals.
Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi said that one of the major factors of the success was the establishment of national training camps that made monitoring easier. “It becomes important for future Asian and ASEAN para games,” he said.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
