I plan to attend the opening (of the SEA Games), God willing.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged Indonesian athletes competing in the 32nd SEA Games to win as many medals as possible, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo said at the Vice President’s Palace here on Wednesday.

"Definitely, the target is to bag as many medals as possible; there is no specific (targeted) total (for the medals)," the minister added.

The Games will take place in Cambodia from May 5–17, 2023. Indonesia is sending 599 athletes, comprising 379 male athletes and 220 female athletes, who will compete in 31 of the 36 sports contested at the event.

"I plan to attend the opening (of the SEA Games), God willing," Ariotedjo said.

Furthermore, he stated that his visit to the palace aimed to discuss the implementation of coordination meetings concerning the Grand Design of National Sports (DBON) as well as youth services with the Vice President.

"God willing, it (the coordination meetings) will be implemented in May,” the minister informed.

He said that the meetings will focus on evaluating the implementation of the mandates of Presidential Decree Number 86 of 2021 on DBON, as his ministry is expecting the regulation to have an impact on the development of sports and youth.

The DBON is currently focusing on improving the achievements of 14 sports, however, the number and types of sports will continue to be evaluated, he added.

The Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Committee (KONI), National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Indonesia, and the review team have set a target of 60 gold medals for the Indonesian contingent so it can be in the top three in the final medal standings.

Although the 32nd SEA Games will officially be inaugurated on May 5, a number of sports will be contested before the opening ceremony, for instance, football, cricket, ouk chaktrang (one of the chess events), indoor hockey, obstacle race, sailing, and indoor volleyball.

Hence, some Indonesian athletes, including the U-22 national soccer players, landed in Cambodia on Tuesday (April 25) afternoon. Their competitions will begin on Saturday (April 29).

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Translator: Desca Natalia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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