"(We must win) as many as possible. If possible (we could) at least win five gold medals. We have a good history in the athletic field, and that is why I kept encouraging athletes to do their best in the competition later," he said when visiting the athletic training center at Madya Stadium.
He admitted he had monitored the training programs of the Indonesian teams, noting "there has not been any problem, so far. Athletics is one of the prospective branches and, therefore, I have come here to give motivation and encouragement."
"We will wait for the realization of promises, especially from Lalu Muhammad Zohri (sprinter). He must not only be able to win a title abroad, but also at home," he said.
Syafruddin, who is a police commissioner general and deputy national police chief, said the Madya Stadium training center has met international standards.
"Now, it is only about how we can use the momentum to make athletes compete at the top of their performance," he said, in the company of the secretary general of the Indonesian Athletic Association (PASI), Tigof M Tanjung, and athlete Muhammad Zohri.
Tanjung added that PASI did not set a gold medal target. "That was only pak (Mr) Syafruddin`s statement to motivate athletes,? he said.
Athletics will offer 24 gold medals in the men`s events and 23 gold medals in the women`s events, as well as one in the mixed event.
Reporting by Imam Santoso
Editing by Yoseph, A Abdussalam
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
