Indonesia Sets Priorities for the 2014 Asian Games

After setting aside its failure to retain the overall winner title at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, Indonesia is aiming for higher achievements in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 this year.

After receiving the government's target for a top-10 finish, the Indonesia Gold Program (Prima) — the body responsible for preparing athletes for multisports events — will give priority to players who have displayed good form in recent competitions. That would hopefully ensure a better chance of bringing home medals.

Prima has started a shortlist of sports where Indonesia earned medals during the SEA Games of Myanmar. This includes archery, athletics, badminton, rowing, swimming, and weight-lifting.

"We still welcome athletes from other sporting codes that were not featured in the SEA Games, and who have demonstrated good progress in Asian-level competitions to join the training camp," Prima's new chairman Suwarno said, referring to the beach volleyball team who did not compete in Myanmar but who have shown good form in recent games.

When asked about the possibility of sending the national football team, he added that Prima may consider it if the team showed significant improvement.

"We want to focus on the sports that have the most potential in garnering medals. Multisports events such as the Asian Games are about a country's image and honor," Suwarno commented.

Sports Ministry official Joko Pekik recently stated that the government has given Prima a target of a top-10 finish for the upcoming Asiad. The ministry calculated that Indonesia would need to win at least nine gold medals in order to secure a spot in the top 10.

Suwarno admits that the target will not be easy to achieve and urged the government to provide Prima and its athletes with better support, particularly in funding.

"Our wushu athletes managed to win four golds in Myanmar, so they will continue to compete in the Asian level. However, our badminton players will face powerhouse China, while South Korea has a solid archery team," he said. "We [Prima and the athletes] need to work harder. But to accomplish the goal our Sports Ministry has given us, we need the strong political support of the government and sponsors."

The nation's swimming team is ready to take on the challenge and has prepared nine strong swimmers, team manager Albert Sutanto said. The swimmers include I Gede Siman Sudartawan, Glen Victor Sutanto, Indra Gunawan, Triadi Fauzi, Dennis Joshua Tiwa, Alexis Wijaya Omar, Fadlan Prawira, Ricky Anggawijaya and SEA Games silver medalist Resha Kania Dewi, who is the only female member of the team.

"Indonesia hasn't secured a medal since 1990. We hope to change that and I'm optimistic about our swimmers' progress," Albert said, referring to three bronze medals won by Richard Sam Bera, Wirmandi Sugriat and the women's relay team at the 1990 Asiad in Beijing.

Albert added that he would also like to see swimming prodigy Ricky reach his peak at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, in Nanjing, China, a month prior to the Asiad.

Ricky, who won the country's only gold in last year's Asian Youth Games, helped Indonesia qualify for the Youth Olympics.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/indonesia-sets-priorities-for-the-2014-asian-games/