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THE Indonesian government must boost the promotion of the 18th Asian Games, as the sporting event, which is to be held in the country later this year, is getting closer. More efforts must be taken to intensify information campaign on the event, scheduled from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, the provincial capital of South Sumatra.
It was President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who has specially called for the effort to be taken.
“The 18th Asian Games needs to be promoted continuously, both in Indonesia and in Asian countries that will participate in that international sport event,” he remarked at a cabinet meeting recently.
Some 9.5 thousand athletes from 45 countries will participate in the four-yearly event, with thousands of media representatives expected to cover it. Indonesia is eying the top 10 place in the medal tally of the pan-Asian multi-sports event. In order to secure it, Indonesia must be able to win 15 to 20 gold medals.
In the history of the Asian Games, Indonesia has never taken home 20 gold medals. The country registered its highest tally of 11 gold medals in 1962, when it hosted the event for the first time.
In the last event in 2014 IN Incheon, South Korea, Indonesia was ranked 17th,with four gold medals, five silver, and 11 bronze medals.
President Jokowi noted that the event has not yet been promoted across the country, and so special efforts need to be taken to promote it. Setting an example of the effort, he wore a custom-made jacket with an Asian Games logo on it at the cabinet meeting.
As a result, all cabinet ministers plan to wear Asian Games jackets, starting from the countdown of 100 days to the Asiad on May 20.
Meanwhile according to Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said for the countdown, we will be wearing the jacket. Jokowi wore a black jacket bearing the motifs of various sports, such as basketball, weightlifting, archery, boxing, and fencing, with the words Asian Games. A logo of the XVIII Asian Games appears on the front, while the word “Indonesia” is placed on the sleeve.
However, Yahya explained that the design of the jacket to be worn by the ministers may be different from the one worn by the president, but it should appear similar.
He added that the idea of Triawan Munaf, head of the Creative Economy Agency, on ministers wearing the jacket was good.
Munaf stated that more jackets or shirts will be produced to promote the Asian Games.
“Maybe, we will produce the jackets this first week. Hopefully, these jackets would be worn as often as possible at several official events,” he explained after the meeting.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, has suggested creating a jingle for the Asian Games to enliven the event.
Jokowi’s Asian Games` jacket is produced by a local brand “Never Too Lavish,” founded by Muhammad Haudy. The design was specifically requested by Jokowi to promote the Asian Games.
Haudy has used hand painting technique on Jokowi`s newest jacket, the inspiration for which came from various local and world-renowned designers. Currently, the jacket has not been mass produced.
Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno revealed that he planned to hold a parade on May 13 involving community members to popularize the event, in addition to setting up billboards to inform the public about it.
Palembang, meanwhile, plans to organize a carnival showing Palembang ethnic culture.
Organizing Chairman Erick Thohir underlined the importance of public participation in the promotion effort, as without them, it would not be effective.
Erick has expressed fear of distraction of public attention to the event in view of the World Cup soccer competition from June 14 to July 15 and the regional elections in the country on June 27.
Soccer is very popular among the people in Indonesia, while simultaneous regional elections for provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors in some regions will certainly absorb public attention as well.
Meanwhile, Indonesian people who are mostly Muslims will soon enter a fasting month that will be concluded by Eid al Fitr festivities in June.
Next year, the country will also hold parliamentary and presidential elections, and so people in Indonesia will indeed be occupied by a lot of issues.
Erick pointed out that Rp165 billion has been provided for the promotion of the Asian Games out of a total of Rp6.6 trillion needed for holding the event. [antaranews/photo special]
