"Soon you will be involved in an international competition at Asian Para Games 2018 as the country`s best sons and daughters. I hope you will fight hard to give the best to the country," he said at a meeting with the athletes at Merdeka Palace.
The Indonesian contingent to the Asian Para Games 2018 consists of 296 athletes, 40 coaches, 18 managers, 35 coach assistants and 33 officials.
The meeting was attended by coordinating minister fir human development and culture Puan Maharani, sports minister Imam Nahrowi, social affairs minister Agus Gumiwang, the chief of the Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INAPGOC), Raja Sapta Oktohari and chef de mission Arminsyah.
"I know you have worked very hard during training and try-outs and so we hope good results would be produced to promote the country`s reputation," Jokowi said.
On the occasion he handed a national flag the INAPGOC chief who in turn gave it to the chef de mission.
Before dispatching the contingent, President Jokowi led them in prayer for the victims of earthquake and tsunami in Palu and Donggala in Central Sukawesi and in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The Games will last from October 6 to 13. A total of 2,888 athletes, 1,826 officials, 591 media persons from 41 countries will participate in 18 sport branches to be competed in the event.
They include basketball, volleyball, fencing, table tennis, swimming, shooting, judo, cycling, chess, weight lifting, bowling, goal ball, badminton, running, archery, boccia, handball, and tennis.
Indonesia has set a target of winning minimally 16 gold medals to become the top eight in the event.
Reporting by Desca Lidya Natalia
Editing by Yoseph Hariyadi
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
