SEA Games Medal Acquired Up 20 Percent, Athlete Selection Process For Asian Games And Olympics Will Be The Same

The procession of handing over bonuses for the 2021 SEA Games medal winners. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali revealed proud data at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi. He said the Indonesian contingent's medal tally rose by 20 percent more than the previous event.

In fact, the number of athletes sent was reduced.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports while accompanying Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to hand over bonuses to athletes who won the 2021 SEA Games medals at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 13.

"Medal gains increased by 20.56 percent, to 80.96 percent compared to the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines last year, which was only 60.40 percent," said the Minister of Youth and Sports, quoted from the official website of the Cabinet Secretariat.

As is known, only 449 Indonesian athletes were dispatched to the 31st SEA Games. Whereas in the previous year's SEA Games, there were 841 people, so there was around 40.67 percent reduction.

But the reduction, according to the Minister of Youth and Sports, actually had a positive impact on Indonesia's record medal tally. Because with the efficiency of quantity, the quality provided is even more optimal.

"The percentage of athletes who did not get medals decreased, which was 17.4 percent when compared to the 30th SEA Games, which was 39.60 percent, meaning that there was an improvement of around 22.56 percent," continued Menpora.

With this achievement, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will consistently apply the selection method as has been done at the 31st SEA Games for the next event. There are two major events that will be faced, namely the Asian Games and the Olympics.

"At the 31st SEA Games (selection process) we are changing, we are oriented to quality, namely only athletes who can really be predicted to be able to donate medals that are sent and who are prepared to be able to take part in the multi-event level which is higher and competitive, namely Asian Games and Olympics," he said.