"I hope that all sports stakeholders, including the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), executive board/central managements (of sports branches), and sports society will unite to drive Indonesia to achieve golden achievements," Ariotedjo said at the Press Council Building, Jakarta, on Saturday.
He made the statement while speaking at the "National Gathering of Indonesian Sports Stakeholders Towards the World Stage" event organized by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).
He expressed his gratitude to journalists, especially those from PWI's Sports Section (SIWO) for their continuous support to national sports activities.
"We hope that senior colleagues from PWI and its SIWO will continue to provide support to help the country boost its sports achievements, as well as make an improvement in its sports management, accountability, and transparency," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Central PWI chairperson Atal Sembiring Depari said that the national gathering event constituted a form of appreciation for the remarkable achievements recorded by the Indonesian contingent at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
"Indonesia achieved golden achievements at the Cambodian SEA Games, added to the fact that our national football team clinched the gold medal. This feat should serve as a stimulus for Indonesia's sports stakeholders to continue presenting golden and prideful achievements to the nation," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the head coach of the U-22 national football team, Indra Sjafri, who was responsible for guiding the team to winning a gold medal, expressed the hope that Indonesian football will develop its own distinctive character.
"I hope that Indonesian football will have its own character and identity. We really need to learn in that direction. But, please, do not clash (compare) me with foreign coaches," Coach Sjafri said.
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Translator: A Rauf Andar, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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