Jokowi Wants Indonesia To Be SEA Games Champions

JAKARTA, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- President Joko Widodo wants Indonesian athletes to prove their determination to emerge as overall champions at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur which starts on Aug 19. The local media Tuesday quoted the president as saying the country’s athletes must endeavour to excel because Indonesia had been overall champions 10 times at the SEA Games. “Bear in mind that you represent Indonesia over there, a nation which had won as overall champions 10 times at the SEA Games. This must be remembered. “Godspeed. Bring honour to the name of Indonesia, the Indonesian race. From our homeland, I await the song Indonesia Raya on air at the 29th SEA Games and the red-white flag to soar, representing the pride of the Indonesian people,” he said at the flagging-off of the Indonesian athletes to Kuala Lumpur at the presidential palace Monday. Jokowi said the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games this year was regarded as important as it would be a catalyst to the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018. "The target at the SEA Games is gold, this and that championships are the stepping stones to the Asian Games, the preparations for heading there," he added. Indonesia is sending 533 athletes to compete in 37 sports events. The Indonesian government also announced that the winner of a gold medal at the SEA Games would not receive cash bonus but a special prize which would be more beneficial for their future. -- BERNAMA