REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), here on Monday, received the Indonesian men's doubles Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo. Both of athletes managed to retain the All England Open Badminton Championships title in 2018.

Youths and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi made the statement after accompanying the two badminton players, who met President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace.

"Earlier, the president encouraged Marcus and Kevin, so that (they) will continue to defend the title in the 2018 Asian Games," Nahrawi remarked.

The Asian Games, to be held in Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital city of Palembang from August 18 to September 2, will bring together some 10 thousand athletes from 45 countries to compete in 40 sports.

A total of 40 branches of sports covered in 462 events, including badminton, comprising 32 Olympic sports and eight non-Olympic sports, will be competed at during the 18th Asian Games.

Marcus and Kevin retained their title of the prestigious All England badminton tournament this year after beating Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in March.

The Indonesian men's pair beat the Danish duo in two straight sets, 21-8, 21-77, the Badminton World Federation revealed on its official website on Monday (Mar 19).

"All England is the world's most prestigious and oldest badminton tournament, so this victory is special for us. We are pleased to play here and receive huge support," Kevin noted after the match.

By retaining the men's doubles All England title for two times in a row, Marcus and Kevin have followed their seniors -- Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky -- who had recorded similar wins in 1995 and 1996.

During the meeting with President Jokowi, Marcus also handed an invite to his wedding to be held on April 14, 2018.

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