Indonesia Sets Target to be 7th Place in 2018 Asian Para Games

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia set a target to rank in seventh place at the 2018 Asian Para Games which would take place in Jakarta on October 6-13. As the host of the games, the target was considered realistic.

“Our target is to rank in sixth or seventh place in Asia which can be pursued by collecting 16 to 17 gold medals,” said National Paralympic Committee head Senny Marbun during a Media Briefing at Solo, Central Java, Tuesday, September 4.

If the target achieved, Indonesia would able to raise its rank from the previous 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea. The country perched in the ninth place with 9 golds, 11 silvers, and 18 bronzes.

Senny expected the gold medal acquisition would reach over the target of 16-17 medals. Besides as the host of the games, Indonesia as the overall champion at 2017 ASEAN Para Games would be capitals to meet the target.

“Hopefully, we can meet over the target, if God willing,” Senny said.

At the 2017 ASEAN Para Games, Indonesia bagged 126 gold medals, 75 silvers, and 50 bronzes. The achievement far bested the neighboring countries such as the host Malaysia and Thailand respectively at the second and third place.

There are at least seven sports that Indonesia best at in the 2018 Asian Para Games, namely athletics, chess, badminton, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, and bicycle racing.

The Asian Para Games will commence on October 6-13, 2018. Indonesia will first host the multi-event tournament for athletes with physical disabilities.

EGI ADYATAMA