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Asian Games could be better promoted, Jokowi says
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Indonesian and Indian players vie for the ball during the Asian Games Invitation Tournament at Hall A in Senayan, Jakarta, on Feb. 9. The tournament is a test event for the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang. JP/Seto Wardhana
(JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he 2018 Asian Games are just around the corner, and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, as the leader of the host country, wants to see more promotion for the quadrennial sporting event.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Jokowi expressed concern over a lack of promotion of the prestigious event in both local and international media.
The Asian Games are set to kick off on Aug. 18 and run until Sept. 2. Some of the competitions will be held in Jakarta, others in Palembang, South Sumatra.
"I want the issue to be addressed. [...] Perhaps there should be a routine marketing campaign of the Asian Games every two weeks for local and international media," Jokowi told the meeting on Wednesday.
Responding to Jokowi's request, Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) chairman Erick Thohir said his side would prepare a "special strategy" for the marketing, which indeed needed more attention, since the World Cup was already approaching.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup, the globe's biggest soccer spectacle, will be held in Russia from June 14 to July 15.
"The President wants the promotion to be improved and not only involve the committee, but also regional administrations and various ministries, so that the public can be gripped by Asian Games fever," he said.
Erick said the INASGOC would present the marketing strategy to Jokowi next week. However, the committee's chief refused to disclose further details about the strategy.
The INASGOC had allocated Rp 6.6 trillion (US$479) for the Asian Games--down from the previous budget of Rp 8.7 trillion--of which almost 90 percent had so far been used for the execution of the event, not promotion, Erick said. The committee would review the use of the budget funds, he said. (ahw)
