VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 Vice President Jusuf Kalla left Jakarta on Sunday for Palembang, South Sumatra Province, to observe the convening of the 18th Asian Games at Jakabaring Sport City Complex area. Kalla was accompanied by Head of Indonesia`s National Sports Committee (KONI) Tono Suratman, Secretary General of the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) Eris Herryanto, and Deputy of the Indonesian Contingent Lt.Gen.Herindra.

Getting on board of BAe-RJ 85 presidential aircraft, Kalla and his entourage left Halim Perdanakusumah Air Force Base in East Jakarta at 10.00 am local time, and arrived at Palembang`s Sultan Badaruddin II International Airport at 11.00 am local time. His arrival was warmly welcomed by South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin. Then, from the airport, he continued his trip to Jakabaring Sport City Complex area, which becomes the Asian Games` main venue, by the city`s light rail transit service.

At the Jakabaring Sport City Complex, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono greeted Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his entourage before observing the sport events taking place at the complex area.

The 2018 Asian Games has entered the ninth day on Sunday. As of Saturday at 11.00 pm local time, Indonesia`s athletes successfully bagged 10 gold, 12 silver, and 16 bronze medals, making the country be top five in the medal tally. Indonesia`s position was left behind by China with 72 gold, 51 silver, and 30 bronze medals; Japan (34-31-44), South Korea (25-26-33) and Iran (14-11-9).

Indonesia is hosting the Asian Games for the second time this year after Jakarta was selected as the venue for the Asian sporting event in 1962. This year, ( 2018 )  Jakarta and Palembang are co-hosting the games from Aug 18 to Sept 2. By virtue of its hosting the 2018 games, the country aims to secure a place among the top 10 largest sporting events.

At this world`s second biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics, around 15 thousand athletes from 45 countries will compete in 462 events across 40 sports, of which 32 are Olympic sports.

The Olympic sports are Aquatics, Athletics, Fencing, Weightlifting, Basketball, Handball, Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Wrestling, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Canoeing and Kayaking, Sailing, Shooting, Modern Pentathlon, Archery, Sport Climbing, Rowing, Rugby, Gymnastics, Roller Skating, Football, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Boxing, Triathlon, and Volleyball.

The non-Olympic sports are Bowling; Bridge; Cricket; Kabaddi; Martial Arts, including Jujitsu, Kurash, Pencak Silat, Sambo, and Wushu; Mechanical Sports, such as Paragliding and Jet Skiing; Squash; and Sepak Takraw.

Indonesia`s target is to make it to the top 10 by winning a minimum of 16 gold medals. (ant)