REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope that badminton would be able to boost Indonesia's achievements in sports during the 2018 Asian Games.
"We will be competing in a colossal event next year, and based on statistics, in the past, our achievements have not been up to the mark, and I believe that badminton can bring it back up. Other sports can surely contribute as well, but badminton players have always bagged gold medals in the Olympics," he noted at the National Badminton Athlete Training Complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Tuesday.
The statement was made by Kalla, as head of the 2018 Asian Games Steering Committee, as he offered motivation to the athletes.
He also expressed hope that the athletes would train well and focus their minds on achieving the target of four gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games.
Kalla further stated that only two parties in the country -- the state leader and national-level athletes -- could raise the Red and White flag at the international level.
"When I go overseas, I cannot raise the Red and White flag myself, only the president could, but all of you can have that opportunity when you win the championship," he affirmed.
To this end, he admitted to have always been proud of the country's badminton team, as it helped to boost the country's name in international championships.
"Congratulations once again," he remarked.
The vice president was accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljon; Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto; and Head of the Indonesian Badminton Association Erick Tohir, who also heads the Asian Games Indonesia Executive Committee.
After greeting several athletes, the vice president, along with Minister Wiranto, took the time to have a go at the game with national athletes -- Liliyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad -- who are currently at 3rd position in the international ranking as the mixed doubles pair.
After inspecting the Training Center in Cipayung, the vice president and his entourage will also inspect the Martial Arts training center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and the Gelora Bung Karno complex in Central Jakarta.
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