CIDISS. The opening ceremony of the XVIII 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, August 18 will surely be lively. The three-hour activity will feature 4,000 dancers, hundreds of musicians, and fireworks. The sports party with a budget of Rp 8.7 trillion is expected to be a spectacular event that is worth remembering. But the party’s excitement has no meaning if Indonesia does not make an achievement in the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
This event is a competition. Only records and athletes with special achievements will be remembered and recorded in history. The number of medals collected by athletes will be remembered forever. Previously, the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China; and the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea; become special for the two host countries because of the achievements of their athletes on the event.
A festive opening party is necessary, but the athlete’s allowance cannot be late, the food must be nutritious, adequate training facilities, and health support must be appropriate. In fact, until a few days before the Asian Games opened, there were still many athletes who were neglected and their concentration disrupted.
At present, Indonesia’s sports achievements are declining. In several Asian Games, Indonesia has not even been able to enter the top 10. At the 2014 Asian Games, we only collected 4 gold, 5 silver and 11 bronze. This acquisition dropped compared to similar competitions four years earlier, when we got 4 gold, 9 silver and 13 bronze. We certainly hope the target is achieved.
But, failing or succeeding in this event, improving national sports do not stop. Coaching for achievement should be directed to the flagship branch. No need to be ambitious to print gold in all branches. Just prioritize some competitions in the international arena, as many countries do. Furthermore, with routine coaching and competition, as well as adequate facilities and infrastructure, we hope our athletes are better prepared to make achievements in the next multievent competition.
In addition, the Government, the Indonesian National Sports Committee, and sports federations should use this Asian Games as a momentum for the revival of national sports by preparing the best athletes.
By: Anton Malik *)