We are seeking to see Hambalang as a (training) center for senior athletes and our athletes who are ready to compete.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is aiming to develop Hambalang, located in Bogor District, as a training center for senior athletes, Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, has said.

“We are seeking to see Hambalang as a (training) center for senior athletes and our athletes who are ready to compete,” said Amali at a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Monday.

He made the statement after attending a limited cabinet meeting on ‘Big Design of National Sports and the National Games (PON) XX and National Para Games (Papernas) XVI in Papua’, led by President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace.

“We are planning to build 10 training centers in several regions. Surely, we will adjust to the existing potential and the very basic ones refer to those talents at elementary level,” he said.

Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim has responded positively to the plan, he added.

“Then, this center will encompass the kids who have potential and have been selected at the stage of junior high school (SMP). Meanwhile, those who are at the stage of senior high school (SMA) will be sent to our schools for athletes (SKO),” he stated.

The plan, he remarked, is part of a long series of steps to develop national sports.

“According to experts, it will require at least 10 years, or around 10,000 hours, to reach an achievement,” he said.

As part of the design to develop sports, the government has also set short- and middle-term targets for 2024, 2028, and 2032, he revealed.

“We know that the 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France. Meanwhile, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo are being postponed to 2021, and the 2028 Olympics (will take place) in LA (Los Angeles), the United States. There is a hope for us to win the bidding for hosting the 2032 Olympics,” Amali said.

Indonesia is not only expecting to host the Olympics, but has already set a number of targets, he added.

“In this big design, we have already set the target to be in the top 10 ranked candidates in 2032, either for Olympics or Paralympics since our disabled athletes’ ranks are not left behind,” the minister said.

To meet the targets, support is urgently needed in terms of funds and infrastructure, he added.

“We need the support to cooperate with ministries, institutions, and state-owned as well as private enterprises. The most important is the support from regional administrations, ” he said.

(INE)

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Translator: Juwita Trisna Rahayu, Desca Li
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