"I am certain that Indonesia will emerge as one of the strong contenders to host the 2032 Olympic Games," Kalla told Bach at the meeting held as part of the vice president's planned programs during his visit to Switzerland.
Kalla revealed that through its National Olympic Committee, Indonesia is eager to deliberate on additional steps deemed necessary to ascertain its readiness to host the future Olympic Games with the IOC.
Indonesia has actively participated in different international sports events during which it has applied the principles of being neutral, non-discriminative, and sportive in line with international standards.
Indonesia has also consistently adopted and applied the principles of good governance and gender equality, he pointed out, adding that Indonesia is positive that sports and sporting events can serve as a potent means to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Sports and sporting events can not just help to achieve the targets of the MDGs but can additionally contribute to global peace, Kalla remarked.
Indonesia has submitted a formal bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games through a letter, dated September 20, 2018, submitted by the Indonesian president to the IOC president.
"We are optimistic of being able to meet you in the near future to discuss about Indonesia's bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games," he told IOC Chief Bach.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Deputy Foreign Minister A. M. Fachir, Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland Muliaman D. Hadad, Chief of Vice Presidential Secretariat Mohamad Oemar, and former Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Chief Erick Thohir were present along with Kalla at the meeting.
Indonesia was the 2018 host of the 18th Asian Games, Asia's biggest multi-sport event featuring 40 sports and drawing 15 thousand athletes and officials from 45 nations. This international sports event was co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra Province's capital city.
Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
