"The youth affairs and sports minister has told me that martial arts is targeted to contribute at least two gold medals in the Asian Games," President Jokowi remarked after reviewing the 2018 Asian Games` infrastructure readiness at the Asian Games venue in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, on Monday.
President Jokowi expressed hope that as many gold medals as possible would be won in the martial art sports and also expressed belief that the number of gold medals clinched will exceed the target.
"I hope that as many gold medals as possible would be won in this branch of martial arts," Jokowi stated.
Moreover, the president remarked that the exercise had been carried out optimally in the long run, i.e., for three years.
"I believe that with the exercises carried out, the gold medals will be more than two. I believe the three-year long-term training will definitely produce results at the 2018 Asian Games," he noted.
While reviewing the Asian Games venue in TMII, President Jokowi was accompanied by several officials, including Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadi Muljono.
The first point to be reviewed is the martial arts venue located at the Padepokan Pencak Silat Complex in TMII, East Jakarta.
"This morning, I saw the martial arts training center here, and as I have said that this exercise was held for quite long, i.e., three years," Jokowi pointed out.
The president arrived at the Pencak Silat venue at around 8:30 a.m. local time and was welcomed by Chairperson of the IPSI PB Research and Development Edhy Prabowo and was immediately invited to see the practicing athletes.
Reporting by Hanni Sofia
Editing by Otniel T
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
