VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Youth and Sports Minister, Zainudin Amali, announced the names of Indonesian athletes who will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics at an online event on Thursday.

The event, which was held on a virtual platform in a bid to control crowding and COVID-19 infection risk, was attended by Indonesian Olympic Committee chairman (KOI) Raja Sapra Oktohari, chef de mission Rosan P Roeslani, Central Indonesian Sports Council chairman (KONI), National Sports Federation chairman, and athletes and coaches, who joined the inauguration from National Training Centers (Pelatnas).

“I, Zainudin Amali, Youth and Sports Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the Indonesian government, inaugurate the Indonesian contingent, who will compete in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan under the leadership of chef de mission, Mr. Rosan Roeslani,” Amali stated.

Though the contingent's inauguration was held online this time, it does not curtail the importance of the tradition, which has been conducted every time the Indonesian team has departed for multi-sport events during normal times, he added.

Indonesia has selected 28 athletes who deserve to represent over 260 million Indonesian citizens at the Tokyo Olympics, the minister said.

The athletes must not let this opportunity go to waste and give their best possible performance in Tokyo, he added.

“Do think that this is the last Olympics that you all can participate in. Do not think that if you failed at this Olympics, you would still have an opportunity in the next four years. Get rid of that thought, but bear in your mind that this is the last one,” he stressed.

“All of your needs are fulfilled by your sports chiefs, KONI, KOI, so please keep it in your heart and mind that you will pay that off with achievement and fighting spirit and never give up before the competition ends,” he added.

After the inauguration, Indonesia's Olympics contingent was seen off by President Joko Widodo from the Presidential Palace at 11 a.m. local time.

Indonesia's 28-member contingent will compete in eight sports at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: badminton (11), athletics (2), archery (4), shooting (1), rowing (2), weightlifting (5), surfing (1), and swimming (2). (Antaranews)