REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the implementation of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang had achieved three successes. He explained, Indonesia was successful in building facilities and infrastructure, implementation and achievements of athletes.

"I congratulate all of us who have succeeded in realizing this 18th Asian Games to achieve three successes, in terms of facilities and infrastructure, implementation, and achievements," Kalla said in his remarks at the closing ceremony of Asian Games 2018 here on Sunday.

In terms of facilities and infrastructure, the government of Indonesia has succeeded in boosting the development of the competition arena as well as the light rail transit routes in Jakarta, Palembang in South Sumatra, and West Java. Meanwhile in terms of achievement, Indonesia had scored the history with the highest achievement and was in the top four in the 18th Asian Games since the implementation of the first Asian Games in India in 1951.

"This is Indonesia's highest achievement in the history of its participation in the Asian Games," the vice president said.

Indonesia was at the 17th position in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea with four gold medals. "In Asian Games 2018, Indonesia is in the fourth position with 31 gold medals," he said.

The Indonesian contingent managed to reach the target at the 2018 Asian Games, with fourth place after China, Japan and South Korea. Indonesian national athletes won a total of 98 medals with details of 31 gold, 24 silver and 43 bronze.

The closing ceremony was attended by President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of Olympic Council of Asia Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Chairman of INASGOC (Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee) Erick Thohir, Chairman of the Indonesian Contingent Syfaruddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi.

Earlier, the Organizing Committee of the 2018 Asian Games (INASGOC) asked the organizers of sport branches and the government to continue organizing international championships in every sport event after the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang. Moreover, Indonesia already had world class arenas.

"We want other sports organizers also to be aggressive in holding other international championships because Indonesia already has world class arenas such as those for equestrian, rowing and football," INASGOC Chairman Erick Thohir told a news conference at the Asian Games Media Service Center (MPC) 2018 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan, here, Saturday.

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