"We have decided (to hold competitions in) 36 sports. Olympic sports must be competed in the games. We will reduce the number of sports that need high organizational cost but have less potential to produce medals for us," Kalla stated after attending the limited coordination meeting of the Asian Games XVIII at the office of the Indonesian Olympic Committee in Jakarta on Saturday.
The meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi, Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara, South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin, Acting Governor of Jakarta Soni Sumarsono, and members of the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee.
Kalla noted that competitions in Olympic sports must be held during the 2018 Asian Games based on the mandate of the International Olympic Committee.
"In comparison, 28 sports were contested in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Olympics are not about the number of sports being competed, but it is more about the quality of the implementation of the games," he remarked.
He reiterated that the Asian Games should be based on cost efficiency of holding the event in accordance with the mandate of the Olympic Council of Asia, so that other countries are also able to host the Olympics.
A coordination meeting for hosting the Asian Games XVIII was aimed at discussing the preparations related to physical infrastructure, readiness and coaching of Indonesian athletes, readiness of the management to host the games that will involve nine to 10 thousand athletes, as well as the provision of supporting facilities, such as information technology.
Earlier, Broto had stated on Mar 23 at a press conference that Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi had recommended to the vice president to hold competitions in 38-39 sports during the 2018 Asian Games.
"Holding competitions in 38-39 sports was another option before a predetermined figure, which is as many as 37 sports, was announced by the vice president," Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Gatot S. Dewa Broto noted here on Friday (Mar 24).
Broto explained that the number of sports being offered was based on the consideration of the Implementation Unit of the Indonesia Gold Program related to the medal potential of the host contingent.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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