"It is an honor for me to be part of Indonesia`s team to fight for the best achievements at the 2018 Asian Games. I, myself, will do my best to earn a gold medal," he told journalists here on Friday.
Winning 11 medals at Myanmar`s 2013 SEA Games, Anwar Tarra said the 73rd anniversary of Indonesia`s independence provided momentum for the country`s athletes, including himself, to fight for medals at Asia`s largest multi-sport event.
"The commemoration of our Independence Day is an important moment that may boost our motivation to give Indonesia special gifts at these stages of this international sporting event," he said.
However, his struggle for winning medals will be difficult because he should be able to compete with the best rowing athletes from participating countries, he said, adding that he has prepared for the tough competition.
"May the struggle of Indonesia`s rowing team members not end with failure. The support of our people and family members will encourage us to do the best we can to give our country the best gifts," he said.
Indonesia will host the Asian Games for the second time this year, after Jakarta was selected as the venue for the Asian sporting event in 1962. This year, Jakarta and Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra Province, co-host the games from August 18 to September 2.
By virtue of its hosting of the 2018 games, the country aims to secure a place among the top 10 largest sporting events.
The games will see athletes sent from 45 countries and will feature 462 events across 40 sports, of which 32 are Olympic sports.
The Olympic sports are Aquatics, Athletics, Fencing, Weightlifting, Basketball, Handball, Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Wrestling, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Canoeing and Kayaking, Sailing, Shooting, Modern Pentathlon, Archery, Sport Climbing, Rowing, Rugby, Gymnastics, Roller Skating, Football, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Boxing, Triathlon, and Volleyball.
The non-Olympic sports are Bowling; Bridge; Cricket; Kabaddi; Martial Arts, including Jujitsu, Kurash, Pencak Silat, Sambo, and Wushu; Mechanical Sports, such as Paragliding and Jet skiing; Squash; and Sepak Takraw.
Indonesia has set a target of entering the top 10 in the event by winning a minimum of 16 gold medals.
Reporting by Abdul Kadir
Editing by Rahmad Nasution, Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
