Minister Maharani also became the mentor in the ceremony which inducted 1,383 contingent members, including athletes, coaches, managers and officials.
Maharani was accompanied by Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi and KOI (Indonesian Olympic Committee) General Chairman Erick Thohir who is also the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) chairman.
"I congratulate you on your election to represent the nation and the country at the 18th Asian Games in 2018. Compete as best as possible with all your strength and never give up," said Puan Maharani before the athletes.
She also asked athletes to maintain Indonesia`s good name when competing by upholding sportsmanship and respect for all opponents and friends.
Maharani said that all Indonesian athletes had never competed alone, because all the people were always with athletes to provide support.
"All Indonesians are always with the team, always praying for and supporting Indonesia wholeheartedly," said the minister.
The inaugural event which began around 5:15 p.m. was attended by around 350 athletes who were commanded by the Indonesian Contingent Chair (CdM) at the 2018 Asian Games Police Commissioner General Syafruddin.
In the event, CdM also signed the CdM Asian Games XVIII 2018 integrity pact.
The activity begins with the singing of the national anthem Indonesia Raya, followed by the reading of the ratification letter of the Indonesian Contingent for the 2018 XVIII Asian Games by the Acting General Secretary of KOI Hellen Sarita Delima.
The letter was signed by KOI General Chair Erick Thohir.
The procession then proceeded to the handover of the Merah Putih Flag from the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani to the KOI General chairman Erick Thohir who forwarded it to the Indonesian CdM Commissioner General Syafruddin.
The event was closed with the kissing of the Red and White Flag which became the tradition of the Indonesian contingent members every time they will take part in an international multi-branch tournament.
In addition, dance activities were also held with the athletes accompanied by the official song of the 2018 XVIII Asian Games "Meraih Bintang/Winning Stars".
The Indonesian contingent at the 2018 Asian Games was strengthened by 1,383 people including 938 athletes, 365 officials and 80 support team members.
The total number of contingent is the highest in the history of Indonesia`s participation in international multi-branch tournaments. It also becomes the largest contingent at the 2018 Asian Games.
Reporting by Michael Siahaan
Edited by Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
