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Kalla hopes athletes make Asian Games stepping stone to 2020 Olympics
The vice president encourages athletes to continue their spirit of competition to the 2020 Olympics
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (second right) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (right) open the 18th Asian Games on Saturday in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope that the 18th Asian Games can serve as a lesson for all participating athletes.
“I also hope that this event will give encouragement [to all athletes] for further competitions especially for the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020,” he said in his opening remarks at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly at Hotel Mulia Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.
Kalla emphasized the spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play during the quadrennial event, which will run until Sept. 2.
Indonesia was an alternate choice of host for the Asian Games after Vietnam withdrew. It only had three years to prepare.
Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex and Palembang’s Jakabaring Sport City complex were chosen as the main venues for the event, along with several other stadiums on the outskirts of Jakarta.
“But we witnessed a success in the opening ceremony last night,” OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said.
Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASCOG) CEO, Erick Thohir, wished the guests a good time during their stay in Indonesia. (yan)
