It is better for us to exceed the achievement target rather than setting a high target which cannot be achieved.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (ANTARA) - The para table tennis coach of the Indonesian contingent for the 2023 ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Cambodia, Suwarno, has said that his team is optimistic of meeting the medal target for the games.

"We are targeting to get 13 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and 22 bronze medals at the 56 events competed at the APG in Cambodia," he informed at Morodok Techo Table Tennis Hall here on Friday.

He said that the medal target is realistic. The 2023 APG will open on June 3 and close on June 9.

"It is better for us to exceed the achievement target rather than setting a high target which cannot be achieved," the coach added.

In the previous edition of APG in Solo city, Central Java province, which was held from July 30 to August 6, 2022, the para table tennis team far surpassed their medal target.

They managed to secure 21 gold medals, significantly higher than the target of 12 gold medals.

Meanwhile, at the 2017 APG in Malaysia, the para table tennis team won 14 gold medals.

The coach said that he expects the target for the 2023 APG to be realized, considering that his team recently lost their iconic player, David Jacobs, who was found unconscious near the Gambir-Juanda railway tracks Kilometer (KM) 4 + 700 on April 27, 2023.

After he was found by station officers, Jacobs was sent to Husada Hospital, Central Jakarta. The hospital announced his death around 3:30 a.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on April 28.

"Without David Jacobs, it does affect our preparations for (APG) Cambodia. However, before leaving for Cambodia, the para table tennis team agreed to make this situation as a motivation for them. If we become the champions, we will dedicate it specifically to David Jacobs," Suwarno said.

Para table tennis athlete Komet Akbar said that he was deeply saddened by the death of Jacobs, who was a dear friend both on and off the competition.

"(If we win) we will dedicate the gold medal of the team event to my late friend, David Jacobs," Akbar stated.

He will compete in the singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events of TT-10 class.

In the doubles event, he was supposed to partner with Jacobs. But now he will partner with Hilmi Azizi.

The Indonesian para table tennis team for the 2023 APG consists of 36 athletes.

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Translator: Hendri Indrawan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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