"Look at Indonesia`s Asian Games enthusiasts, who loudly and cheerfully yell out the name of Indonesia to pump up the fighting spirit of our athletes," Sri Yunanto, the expert staff of the coordinating minister of law, security, and human rights, staJakarta (ANTARA News) - The ongoing 18th Asian Games has evoked the spirit of nationalism among Indonesians and has united them despite differences in their political preferences in next year`s presidential election, a minister`s expert staff stated.
"Look at Indonesia`s Asian Games enthusiasts, who loudly and cheerfully yell out the name of Indonesia to pump up the fighting spirit of our athletes," Sri Yunanto, the expert staff of the coordinating minister of law, security, and human rights, stated here on Tuesday.
The 18th Asian Games, being held in Jakarta and Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra Province, has united the voices of all elements of society across the country for the sake of Indonesia`s glory, he noted.
"Our community members forget their distinct political preferences in the 2019 parliamentary and presidential elections for awhile. This condition is so encouraging amid the rising political temperature that heats up in the wake of the elections," Yunanto affirmed.
Hence, the Asian Games, to officially last until Sept 2, is expected to unite all Indonesians within and outside the sports venues.
Indonesia`s success in convening this Asia`s biggest multi-sport event will be viewed as a common achievement of all people and a proof to the world that Indonesia is a secure and peaceful country, he stated.
"The success will also mark our government`s capability in running the world`s second-biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics effectively, securely, and peacefully. This is a great achievement that we are all proud of," he emphasized.
Indonesia is hosting 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 are co-hosting the games from Aug 18 to Sept 2. By virtue of its hosting the 2018 games, the country aims to secure a place among the top 10 largest sporting events.
Some 15 thousand athletes from 45 countries are competing in 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, so far, bagged 23 gold medals, thereby placing it in the top four in the temporary medal tally behind China, Japan, and South Korea.
Reporting by Sigit Pinardi
Editing by Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
