VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The 2018 Asian Games which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra in August and September are expected to be a momentum to show the world the role of sport as a unifying and peacemaking tool for the nation.  Especially, in a few days ago some areas in Indonesia became the target of terrorist’s acts. The General Chairman of Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC), Erick Thohir told media in Jakarta recently that the role of sports, especially the Asian Games as a unifying tool of the nation has been proven when Indonesia became host of the fourth Asian Games in 1962.

“Sport is a unifier and it has been proven in 1962 by our first president, Pak Soekarno. At that time, we were just celebrating 17 years of independence and recognized as independent country. Well, now are celebrating our 73th  independence, we are older than before.  We hope this Asian Games will be successful. But, without people’s participation it cannot run well,” Erick Tohir said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) Raja Sapta Oktohari on the same occasion stated that the committee along with the government and society is ready to make Indonesia a good host for the athletes with disabilities. Through Asian Para Games 2018, Indonesia wants to show itself as a friendly country for disabled people. He said  Asian Para Games is not just a match with win or lose result.  It shows how to embroider the values of humanity, peace, and unity. The 2018 Asian Games will be held on August 18th to September 2nd, while the 2018 Asian Para Games takes place from 8-16 October. (VOI/Rezha/DP)