Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) here on Sunday morning opened the largest Poco-Poco gymnastics which would break the Guinness World Record.

"Congratulation (to carry out) Poco-Poco, hopefully we are all healthy, our people are healthy, our country is strong," the President remarked during the opening of the Poco-Poco event on the west side of the Monas Square on Sunday morning.

Jokowi along with the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo arrived at the Silang Monas Square at around 6:15 a.m. Western Indonesia Standard time (WIB).

In addition, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla also joined the Poco-Poco event, which was attended by 65 thousand participants.

A number of the Working Cabinet ministers along with Military (TNI) Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and the National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian also participated in the rhythmic gymnastics.

The Poco-Poco participants consisting of 10 thousand members of the TNI, 5 thousand members of the National Police, 6,700 people from ministries / state institutions, 27 thousand of Jakarta`s High School Students, 3 thousand of Jakarta`s high school sports teachers, including 1,000 Jakarta`s university students.

The world record-breaking was held at 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., starting from the area of the State Palace, the streets of Medan Merdeka Barat, Silang Monas, Thamrin, Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Jalan Sudirman.

Earlier, Deputy General Chairperson of the committee to break the world record for poco-poco gymnastics, Hermawan Kartajaya said that his side wanted to show Poco-Poco to the world and also as a good branding for Indonesia.

The Poco-Poco gymnastics is also aimed to promote the upcoming 18th Asian Games.

Jakarta and the South Sumatran Provincial capital of Palembang will host the biggest Asian sporting events from August 18 to September 2, 2018.

The games will be attended by 45 countries, and will feature 462 events in 40 sports, of which 32 are Olympic sports and eight are non-Olympic events.

Reporter: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018