"In 2023, there are still two Asia-level multi-sport events that Indonesia must partake in, namely Asian Games and Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games," the minister said while delivering his remarks at the opening of the KOI Congress here on Friday.
Good collaboration between the central government, KOI, and KONI is needed so that the selection of sports contingents can be more measurable and efficient, he stressed.
Ariotedjo said that KOI must also become the government's partner in building a database of national athletes, along with KONI, national sports federations, and other stakeholders, as well as support the government in implementing the mandate of the Sports Law.
The government is hoping for KOI-KONI synergy in resolving disputes regarding sports branches, he added.
"A joint commitment is highly needed for the continuity of Indonesian athletes' training. Going forward, the mandate of the law regarding a dispute resolution institution must also be carried out immediately," he said.
Furthermore, with its new management, KOI is expected to continue to improve its performance by building a sustainable and transparent organizational management system.
The minister, who represented President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the event, lauded the 2019–2023 KOI management, which, he said, has worked hard to make various efforts for Indonesian athletes.
"These efforts have ensured Indonesian athletes' participation in multi-sport events, such as the 2019 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games; the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to 2021; the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, which were postponed to 2022 and the 2023 Cambodian SEA Games," he said.
In addition, KOI is also considered to have succeeded in maintaining Indonesia's sports diplomacy at the international level, as reflected by the acceleration of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) sanction completion.
He said that, under Law Number 11 of 2022 concerning Sports, KOI has an essential role in supporting the central government in preparing athletes for international-level multi-sport events, following KONI's recommendations.
Apart from that, KOI also has the role of increasing Indonesia's active role and participation in sports, both regionally and globally.
Related news: Sports Minister opens NOC Indonesia Congress
Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Raka Adji
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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