The minister's statement was made after the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) announced on Tuesday (July 4) that the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI) had withdrawn from its commitment to host the 2023 AWBG.
"During the proposal's initial review in February, before I took office, there was a huge difference between the proposal of nearly Rp1 trillion (around US$66.6 million) and the result of the review of Rp221 billion (around US$14.7 million)," he said when contacted by ANTARA.
After Ariotedjo took office as youth and sports minister, a review was conducted again along with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) and the Directorate General of Budget (DJA) of the Ministry of Finance, resulting in a budget of Rp446 billion.
Ariotedjo remarked that the 2023 AWBG was believed to be able to have a positive impact on Indonesia, especially in terms of sports tourism.
He said that the government had earlier urged KOI to immediately make planning and preparations as effective and efficient as possible since Indonesia was selected as the host of the 2023 AWBG.
Ariotedjo affirmed that the government is always ready to serve as a host of international sports events in line with President Joko Widodo's programs.
Nevertheless, in the implementation, thorough planning is a must so as to ensure that guests receive good hospitality, he emphasized.
The 2023 AWBG was scheduled to take place on August 5-12 at four locations -- Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, and Canggu -- in Bali. The multi-sport event was expected to be attended by some 1,500 athletes from 130 countries.
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Translator: Fajar Satriyo, Raka Adji
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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