Indonesia Expected to Host More International Sports After Asian Games

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesia is expected to host more international sporting events following its success in holding the 2018 Asian Games, Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) chairman Erick Thohir said.

“We want to see the executives of sports associations initiate other international championships because Indonesia now owns world-class arenas, such as those for equestrian, rowing and soccer,” said Erick told journalists at a press conference at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday.

As an example, Erick said Indonesia would co-host the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, along with Japan and the Philippines, asiangames2018.id reported.

“Indonesia used to have many sports arenas that were poorly maintained because the country rarely hosted sports tournaments. We should learn to organize more [sporting] events,” said Erick, who also chairs the Indonesian Olympic Committee.O

Besides the equestrian, rowing and soccer disciplines, Erick also mentioned the possibility of Indonesia hosting the world championships of athletics and cycling as the country now has world-class arenas and stadiums to hold such events.

Also at the press conference, Erick revealed that the 2018 Asian Games had 17,244 athletes and officials in participation, and also 11,000 local and foreign journalists.

“After [all sporting events] ended, we will hold the Asian Games closing ceremony as a form of Asian nations’ celebration,” he said about the closing ceremony slated for Sunday.

After the closing ceremony, INASGOC will keep working to manage the departures of all Asian Games participants to their respective countries.

“We will end our entire work in April 2019,” Erick said.(L/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)