Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sports minister Andi Mallarangeng here on Monday saw off 220 male and female athletes that would compete in the 4th ASEAN School Games 2012 in Surabaya, East Java, from June 28 to July 6.

"This time we play host and therefore I hope you could do the best for the country. We must be able to be better than years before," he said.

It is hoped Indonesia will be able to be among the biggest three to collecting minimally 36 gold medals from 11 events to be competed in the event.

In the ASG 2012 Indonesia would participate in 11 sports branches including compulsory athletic, golf and sepaktakraw.

A total of 1,356 athletes from seven countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam will participate in the event.

In the 3rd ASG in Singapore in 2011 Indonesia collected 21 gold medals, 19 silver and 23 bronze medals, to finish fourth after Malaysia.

Thailand came out as the overall winner followed by Singapore in the second place.

(H-YH)

Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012