REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has stated that Indonesia has recorded a history by reaching the highest achievements at the Asian Games since the first such event was held in 1951. He lauded athletes' efforts in Asian Games 2018.

"This is Indonesia's highest achievement in the history of its participation in the Asian Games, from standing 17th in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, with four gold medals, to finishing fourth with 31 gold medals," Kalla remarked at the 2018 Asian Games closing ceremony at Bung Karno Main Stadium, here on Sunday night.

Kalla pointed out that with 98 medals won by the host contingent at the 18th Asian Games, the sense of unity of the Indonesian people is getting stronger, along with the increasing tolerance in Indonesia's pluralism.

"Therefore, it is very important to make use of this moment to strengthen the unity and identity of a pluralistic and tolerant nation. The high fighting spirit is also important to achieve progress, prosperity and peace," Kalla, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC), said.

Indonesia has reached its target of finishing in top 10 at the 2018 Asian Games. By collecting 98 medals, with 31 gold, 24 silver and 43 bronze, Indonesia finished fourth after China, Japan and South Korea.

In the closing ceremony of the 18th Asian Games here on Sunday night, Vice President Kalla was accompanied by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach; the President of the Asian Olympic Council, Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah; the Chair of INASGOC, Erick Thohir; the Chair of the Indonesian Contingent, Syfaruddin; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi; and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Imam Nahrawi.

Earlier, Director General Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Husain Al-Mussalam said Asian Games was not only a matter of victory and competition among athletes. Asian Games also promote the development of sports for the benefit of international friendship.

Nine contingents to the Asian Games 2018 returned to their countries empty handed. They failed to win a medal at the event.

The nine contingents are from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Maldives, Oman, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, and Yemen.

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