JAKARTA - The Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) has set a realistic target of getting four gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games which will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.
The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Erick Thohir, said that the target was based on a mature calculation because there were several numbers that previously contributed to gold, but now were not contested.
"Our target must be realistic, approximately four gold medals. Previously, there were seven gold medals, but of the seven gold medals, there are three numbers that have not been competed in the Asian Games," he said in Jakarta.
Indonesia previously managed to bring home seven gold medals in the 2022 edition (held in 2023) in Hangzhou, China. The seven gold medals were won by wushu, rock climbing, shooting (two gold), cycling, weightlifting, and dragon boat.
Erick said that his party and other related teams would try to work as hard as possible so that Indonesia could pursue the existing targets, especially the moral and mental readiness of athletes to compete in the arena.
"We try together with the Chief de Mission to encourage other things so that our athletes can perform. Hopefully this is not a breakthrough, but a commonality that can ensure that when athletes compete, their morale is at the maximum point," he said.
In addition to preparing athletes to the maximum to meet the gold medal target, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is also continuing to try to comb through the budget for all the needs of the Indonesian Contingent. So far, the available funds are in the amount of Rp. 61 billion.
Chef de Mission (CdM) Todotua Pasaribu said that the Indonesian delegation consisted of approximately 420 athletes and 150 officials from 32 sports (cabor) who would take part in the prestigious event.
"So, we have received final instructions that there will be 32 sports that will participate in this Asian Games and we have had two meetings with these 32 sports," he said.
The 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4. There are a total of 45 countries that will participate in the major multi-branch event that only involves Asian countries.
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