Jusuf Kalla Optimistic Indonesia Can Meet Target of Medals Set for Asian Games

Palembang, MINA – With just a week to go, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed his optimism that Indonesia would achieve  the target of medals set for the 18th Asian Games.

“We’ve won 12 gold medals so far and there are still 20 more to be pursued. The achievement has been on the right path. I’m sure we can meet the target,” Kalla said on Sunday during his visit to Jakabaring Sports City (JSC) in Palembang, South Sumatra.

Kalla said he was optimistic  there were still five days left to grab gold medals. “There’s still time, we can make it. There are gold medals up for grab in jetski, [pencak] silat, karate and badminton competitionns,” he added.

Kalla assured that, whatever result the Indonesian contingent obtained in the 2018 Asian Games, the training program for athletes  would continue in view of major events to come.

The Vice President inspected several JSC facilities and venues, such as the dining room in the Athletes Village, the rowing venue, the bowling alley and the beach volleyball court.

Kalla also asked a Philippine official about the service that foreign delegates had received at the Athletes Village, which served Indonesian, West Asian, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and international foods.

“Everything is positive for all athletes and officials from China, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore. All countries are enjoying the same standards in Palembang and Jakarta,” Kalla said.

By the ninth day of the 2018 Asian Games, Indonesia’s athletes had won 15 golds, 13 silvers and 25 bronzes to provisionally occupy the fifth medal rank after China, Japan, South Korea and Iran.(R/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)