President Jokowi Targets Indonesia To Top 10 At The 2023 Asian Games Hangzhou

President Jokowi has set a high target for the Indonesian contingent at the 2023 Asian Games. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is targeting the Indonesian contingent to finish in the top 10 of the final standings for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Menpora Dito Ariotedjo previously set a target for Indonesia to get 12 gold medals and finish in the top 12 for the event which will take place from September 23 to October 8.

"My target is to go to the top 10. Usually my calculations don't miss," said the President at the release of the Indonesian contingent at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

The target of the 12 gold medals did not reach half of what Indonesia got at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang. At that time, Indonesia successfully brought home 31 gold medals.

At that time, the most gold medals for Indonesia came from pencak silat, which this year was not contested in Hangzhou, China.

"Congratulations on competing and on behalf of the people, nation and state, I look forward to the achievements and gold that we can achieve as much," said Joko Widodo.

At the 19th Asian Games this time, Indonesia sent a contingent of 576 people. This number consists of 413 athletes, 132 officials, and 28 teams in Chef de Mission (CdM).

"Composition of 78 athletes and officials has left for China, 110 athletes and officials are still carrying out training camps abroad, as well as 360 athletes and officials are still in Indonesia," said Dito.

In an announcement earlier this month, Indonesia actually wanted to send 415 athletes for 31 sports that were followed. However, the resignation of the golf sport made the number of athletes shrink to 413.