The Olympics is the highest peak of any sporting event on earth. A country that can hold and excel in this event has its own pride and prestige. Indonesia's experience in holding regional and world sports events has become the basis for holding the Olympics. Will Indonesia succeed in hosting the 2032 Olympics? And what is the struggle like to host this multi-pronged event? Raja Sapta Oktohari as Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (NOC Indonesia) aka the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) shared this story with the VOI.ID team.
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The question that is often raised during a big event like the Olympics can be done and can we carry out the event as well as what has been done in other countries? When this question was asked to Okto - as he is usually called - there was no doubt from him. He is very confident and optimistic that Indonesia can hold an Olympics-class event. That's why Indonesia bravely bidding for the upcoming 2032 Olympics.
Okto was elected as Chairman of the Indonesian NOC replacing Erick Tohir in an election. He was chosen by acclamation to lead the 2019-2023 Indonesian NOC. Its big mission is to make Indonesia the host of the 2032 Olympics.
He revealed a series of facts that there were many doubts that Indonesia could hold the 2018 Asian Games. In fact, this regional event can be carried out successfully by Indonesia. Successful implementation and successful achievement. The doubts that had arisen before the event were held immediately dispersed after all the sports were held in Jakarta and Palembang and were ended with a spectacular closing ceremony.
"We can hold a big event on a world scale. Doubts may arise before the event. With the hard work of all parties, various problems starting from the construction / repair of the venue were successfully resolved. And when the implementation went according to plan until the end of the event at the closing ceremony. Everything goes well beyond any shortcomings here and there it's natural. But in general everything went well and was successful, "he said.
Okto's involvement in sports events was recorded when he founded Mahkota Promotion, the promoter of boxing in Indonesia in 2000. He has successfully held a number of boxing events. Subsequently in 2014 he led the parent organization of the Indonesian Bicycle Sport Association (ISSI). Not only at the national level, Okto expanded to the regional level by becoming Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) for the 2015-2019 period.
Okto's progress shone even more when he was entrusted with being the Chief de Mission (CdM) of the Indonesian contingent for the Rio De Jeneiro Olympics in Brazil 2016. Two years after that he made great confidence again as Chairman of the 2018 Asian Para Games (INAPGOC) Committee.
His next mission is to make Indonesia the host of the 2032 Olympics. “Our closest competitor is Brisbane Australia at the moment, but there are several other cities that are also bidding. We must not be careless, when the time is right we will overtake. The conditions are like a race. Before the finish line anything could happen, "he said optimistically to Edy Suherli, Iqbal Irsyad, Savic Rabos and Ahmad Taufik from VOI.ID who visited him at the NOC Indonesia office, 19th floor FX Office Tower, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (14/4 / 2021) noon. This is the full passage.
So far, the public is more familiar with the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), now it is more popularized by the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (NOC Indonesia), why is that?
Our institution is called the Indonesian Olympic Committee which is abbreviated as KOI or in English the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia is abbreviated as NOC Indonesia. In the past, people were familiar with KOI. However, in my leadership era, it is the English equivalent that we are looking forward to. Why is that? So that it is not confused or confused with the name of a fish or restaurant. Our institution is a representative of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and OCA (Olympic Council of Asia). In each of these countries there are NOCs, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, America and so on. In Indonesia, the Indonesian NOC. There is also on every continent, in Asia it is OCA. There are also other continents such as Europe, Africa, America, Australia and Oceania. This must be clear so that we understand the mapping of sports governance. We're on the Olympic Charter. All the rules are implemented referencing the Olympic Charter. Our activities are mostly abroad, that's why we use the term Indonesian NOC. If the name is lengthened, then it's KOI. Every athlete competing abroad must obtain permission from the Indonesian NOC. We are fully responsible for athletes who strive to make the nation proud.
So there are strategic considerations why we prioritize the term Indonesian NOC?
Yes, it is true. Actually, when I was chairman of ISSI, I also did the same thing. The term PB ISSI (Indonesian Cycling Sport Association) uses the ICF (Indonesian Cycling Federation) for international events. For national-oriented activities, we still use the term ISSI. So just to make it easier when joining the international arena. For the IOC, the official name from Indonesia is NOC Indonesia.
In the near future, Indonesian athletes will participate in the Tokyo Olympics. What are the preparations for this?
For the Tokyo Olympics, this is quite unique because in the midst of a corona pandemic, an extraordinary situation. Many rules were made specifically for this Olympics. For example, there are several qualifications that cannot be implemented because of corona. Then the Olympic habits that are usually done in person such as meetings (CDR meetings and DRM meetings) are now virtual. At the time of departure it is very limited. In the past, you could bring your partner with you, now it's only specific to the person concerned. Meanwhile, the number of spectators for the match is also very limited.
Are you optimistic that Indonesian athletes will get medals?
Oh yeah, I am optimistic that Indonesian athletes will present medals for the nation and state. To get it, it is necessary to have the support of all parties. If we can bring the audience of Indonesian citizens to Japan we will get involved, if not we will virtually ask for help. It has been proven that the strength of Indonesian netizens is quite massive. Yesterday, when our badminton player failed to participate in the All England 2021 event, Indonesian netizens moved, BWF even submitted an apology.
What sports will Indonesia participate in?
Until now, shooting, archery, weightlifting, badminton, and there are several other sports that are still struggling to qualify. Later it will be caught in June or July.
Has there ever been a target of winning how many medals?
So far there is no medal target. The government sets a medal target because it is related to the budget. We at the Indonesian NOC do not have that budget. So all those who pass the qualifications we try to go home with medals. We motivate all participating athletes to win gold, silver or bronze medals.
How have our athletes prepared so far?
Athletes who can go to the Olympics are very preferred. And what needs to be remembered that the Olympics is a very prestigious event. This Olympic event is the pinnacle of achievement, so this is the end of sports achievements. After the Olympics there was nothing higher. Underneath it is only the World Championship, or other events such as the Asian Games, SEA Games, Islamic Solidarity Games and so on.
What about the Winter Olympics which was held this year in Beijing, are any of our athletes participating?
We also participate in the winter Olympics, there are our athletes who participate even though our country has a tropical climate. We have an ice hockey team, an ice skating team, and other sports that are competed in the winter Olympics. So even though we are a tropical country, training is not a problem, there are already places that provide them in certain malls. Or there are our athletes who train abroad.
What kind of support do you expect as Chair of the Indonesian NOC?
We can support athletes directly or indirectly. The current era of technology has advanced. We can be there even though we are not physically there. For Indonesians in Japan, we can expect support for attendance, if outside of that we can provide support via virtual.
Then how is the development of Indonesia's bidding for the 2032 Olympics?
We're getting ready for bidding, and we've already presented two times. Currently we are preparing the third presentation material, the material is almost complete. We are currently racing, so the bidding model is not a beauty contest style. Now the system is like a race, currently the one in front is held by Brisbane. Until 2024 this race will continue. So those who win can lose and those who lose can win. We are getting ready to overtake the corner.
How big is our chance to win this bid?
Our chances are very strong to win the 2032 Olympics bidding. We have the experience of holding the Asian Games and Asian Paragames. And the legacy is in Gelora Bung Karno.
What is our advantage over Brisbane?
We excel on all fronts. The advantage of Brisbane is that in my time, he came in first, we were after. And behind us there are also several more countries that are participating in this racing. So it's really like a race ready to catch up with each other. There are Qatar, China, Unification of South and North Korea, India, and other countries. As I mentioned earlier, our legacy is at GBK, the venues are ready, the housing for our athletes is also there. The current policy is that there are no new buildings. Then in each existing sport, it is active to invite international events to be held in Indonesia. So we have the ability to hold events like the Olympics.
Organizing an Olympics requires a lot of money. How does the Indonesian NOC respond to this?
For funding, it must involve the government. And we have proven to be able to hold the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games yesterday. Soon we will make XX PON in Papua. Why can't we make an Olympics in Jakarta. We certainly can. In Indonesia, it seems as if we are not ready, but if we want to be compared, we are much more prepared than any country participating in the bidding. During the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games yesterday there were many doubts, but the proof is that they can be successful. Successful implementation, successful achievement, successful administration and legacy success. Hopefully GBK can be a venue for the opening and closing of the Olympics later.
What is the government's support for the Olympic bidding?
President Jokowi actually has aspirations for Indonesia to host this Olympics. And he immediately wrote a letter as a form of readiness for Indonesia to become the host. This is unique, usually the NOC wrote the letter. For other countries, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) asked the NOC of the countries participating in the bidding, whether they got support from the government or not. So we are no longer support, more than that because the request to host wrote President Jokowi directly.
So we just have to wait for further news and when will the Indonesian NOC overtake the corner?
Every time we will take the opportunity to overtake Brisbane Australia. We are quite confident, because the 2032 Olympics still have a long way to go.
A Year Recovering from Covid-19, Here's King Sapta Oktohari Living Life
It doesn't feel like it's been a year since Raja Sapta Oktohari has recovered from exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 or commonly abbreviated as covid-19. The son of businessman and politician Osman Sapta Odang is one of the early patients who felt the enormity of the virus attack that has taken the world by storm.
"Today, just one year later, I recovered from Covid-19. April 14, 2020, I tested negative after struggling with the virus for many days. Alhamdulillah, until now I still have strong antibodies after being exposed to it before, "he said when visited by VOI.ID at his office, the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (NOC Indonesia) or another name is KOI (Indonesian Olympic Committee).
In the talk that took place in his comfortable office at the FX Sudirman Building, Senayan, Central Jakarta on April 14, 2021, he shared many tips on how to live a healthy and quality life. The man who was born in Jakarta on October 15, 1975 also talked about his activities in exercising properly and eating healthy foods. This step he did in order to maintain health and fitness to support his busy activities.
Sports, according to Okto, must be done by everyone with the right dose. If it is not not good, so is it if the exercise is too much. "Sports must be done properly, not less and not excessive," he said.
In addition to exercise, rest must also be sufficient. "Before fasting, I did my pattern at 22.00 or 22.30 WIB, trying to finish all activities and be able to sleep. The problem is at 4.30 WIB you have to wake up. Around 5:00 am I started exercising. For fasting, the pattern has changed a little, ”he continued.
Okto is lucky that at the NOC Indonesia office there are many athletes, experts in the field of sports and nutrition experts who are accustomed to carrying out healthy lifestyle programs for athletes. Not wanting to waste this potential, he also made them a place to consult about the right exercise and what kind of food intake is good for their bodies. "Those are the benefits I get as Chairman of the Indonesian NOC. Everything is in this office. I just have to ask questions and consult with athletes, sports doctors, nutritionists and others, "he said with a smile.
Managing sports as a whole within the framework of the Indonesian NOC is for Okto no different from art. "Exercising itself, apart from physical activity, in my opinion, is part of art. What I do with my friends at NOC Indonesia is the art of fostering, managing and disciplining so that sports can be the pride of the nation and state, ”he explained.
For food matters, Okto tries to be as orderly as possible. Since the last few years he has reduced rice consumption. “I don't eat white rice. To meet carbohydrate intake, you can get it from bread, noodles and so on. Even if I eat rice, I choose brown rice or black rice, ”he said. This food intake is very crucial for him. According to Okto, sports activities alone without being balanced with the right food are also not enough.
As the saying goes 'you are what you eat'. Okto really applies this principle. He only feeds the food his body needs. “The crowd cannot differentiate between eating for pleasure and eating to meet the body's needs. I choose the second option, eat to meet the body's needs. The problem is that people eat for fun tends to be out of control. And those who choose a style like this have many examples, "he said.
Okto does not blame people who position eating as pleasure. Because it's a choice in life. Of course there are consequences from the choices made.
“People who eat for pleasure tend to be careless. All are eaten and eaten, the important thing is that you are happy and your stomach is full. But if you eat for your needs, that's not the case. We need protein, carbohydrates and other substances for the body. Materials that are not needed by the body do not need to enter our stomach, "he said.
How much food intake is consumed per day for Okto is adjusted to the activities he does. "The food intake that I eat every day is not the same, depending on the level of activity and the type of activity I am on that day. Sometimes I need more protein, and on other days I need more carbohydrates and so on, "said the former Head of HIPMI.
But not forever he adopts a diet like this. There are times when he has culinary recreation. "If people work there are Sundays for holidays, so do I. There is a Ramdan fasting month once a year, ”said Okto who could not explain whether his diet refers to a certain diet program.
That's what King Sapta Oktohari did in carrying out his days. His activities as a businessman and also the Chairman of the Indonesian NOC who are fighting for the 2032 Olympics, are accompanied by the right sports, the right food and adequate rest. The combination of several things makes Okto's health and fitness condition prime.
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