"I want us to emerge as the top two at the Philippines 30th SEA Games," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in his speech, delivered at a ceremony releasing the Indonesian contingent at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java.
Jokowi said the Indonesian athletes were expected to improve their achievements in various international multi-sport events though it was not an easy task.
However, with a solid fighting spirit and the support of 260 million Indonesians, the athletes should do their best to grab as many medals as possible at the Philippines 30th SEA Games, he said.
At the ceremony, which was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister, Zainudin Amali, President Jokowi handed over a Red and White flag to the Chief of the Indonesian Contingent for the 30th SEA Games, Harry Warganegara.
The opening ceremony of the biennial multi-sport event will be held on Saturday (November 30).
The Indonesian athletes who just won 38 gold medals at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur will compete against those from the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Timor Leste. Related news: Government offers Rp200-million bonus for each SEA Games gold medalist
Related news: Tennis - Indonesia eyes two gold in SEA Games doubles
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Translator: Bayu P, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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