Asian Games 2023: Indonesia Departs 415 Athletes, Gold Target Lowers Drastically

Menpora Dito Ariotedjo (center) announced the Indonesian contingent for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China/COSMAS KOPONG DIFFERENT

JAKARTA Indonesia will officially send 415 athletes to the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games which will take place from September 23 to October 8, 2023 in China.

The announcement of the number of Indonesian contingents for the four-year event which was supposed to be held last year, but was hampered by the corona pandemic, Friday, September 1, 2023.

"Our Asian Games will dispatch 161 athletes and officials," said Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo at the Kemenpora Office, Senayan, Jakarta.

Of the total athletes, Indonesia is targeted to bring home eight to 12 gold medals. The target has decreased considerably compared to the 2018 Asian Games which took place in Jakarta and Palembang.

At that time, Indonesia closed this event with a collection of 31 gold medals or almost double the target of 16 gold medals. This is because at that time the pencak silat sport which became the mainstay was also contested.

"At that time we as hosts had a pencak silat sport that contributed almost more than 50 percent. In 2023 the sport was not contested. So, this had an impact on the gold medal," said Dito.

Chairman of the Chef de Mission (CdM) of the 2023 Asian Games contingent Basuki Hadimuljono said that the departure of Indonesian athletes to China would be carried out in two stages.

The first departure will take place on September 16 for the football team, cricket, and volleyball team. The big departure will take place on September 21.

"I am sure that our athletes are ready to do their best for our nation and country. We ask for the blessing of all Indonesian people to our athletes to be able to give their best," said Basuki.