Jokowi Officially Departs Indonesian Team To Vietnam SEA Games

President Jokowi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially dispatched the Indonesian Team to the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam which will take place on May 12-23, 2022.

President Jokowi at the release ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, asked the entire Indonesian contingent to win as many medals as possible at the multi-sport event in Southeast Asia.

"All of us, the people of Indonesia, want this contingent to achieve the highest possible achievements, as many medals as possible, to make our country, the Indonesian nation proud," said the President, quoted from Antara.

The President hopes that Indonesia can rank third, or second, or even first in Vietnam's 31st SEA Games. That's because in the same event before, Indonesia has won fourth place.

"I remember at the previous SEA Games, in Singapore 2015 we were ranked fifth, then in Malaysia (SEA Games 2017) we were also still ranked fifth, then in the Philippines (SEA Games 2019) we were ranked fourth, this time We want our 31st SEA Games in Vietnam to be ranked third, second or first," said the President.

The President wanted the Indonesian Team to achieve the best achievements because the contingent selection had been carried out well.

"It's not an easy thing, but I heard that the selection has been done well and I hope that this achievement can really hatch," he said.

On the same occasion, Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali explained that in the 31st Vietnam SEA Games, the contingent that departed amounted to 776 people consisting of 499 athletes, 214 officials, and 63 companions. The entire contingent led by Chef De Mission (CdM) Ferry Kono will carry the name of Indonesia to compete in 318 events and 32 sports.

"(The number of contingents) is much less than the Indonesian contingent that was sent to the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines 2019, which was 1,304 people, consisting of 841 athletes, 300 officials, and 163 companions. Although the number is reduced, it is hoped that it can still be a benchmark for national sports development," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.