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Raja Sapta Oktohari sees smooth path to Indonesian Olympic Committee chairmanship
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Raja Sapta “Okto” Oktohari (The Jakarta Post/Bangkit Jaya Putra)
T
he path to the top seat of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) seems to be wide open for Raja Sapta “Okto” Oktohari after the businessman and sports enthusiast received full support from the current chief.
Okto, the son of Hanura Party politician and OSO Group owner Oesman Sapta Odang, went all out with a party at a five-star hotel in Central Jakarta on Tuesday evening to announce his candidacy.
The committee elects its chairperson through a vote among its members, which are sport federations. Should no other candidate run for the post, the sole candidate will be elected by acclamation.
Representatives from a number of sport federations attended the announcement event, in which Okto took the chance to convey his mission of pushing for Indonesian athletes to bring home more medals from international events.
The current KOI chief, Erick Thohir, who had been scheduled to attend the event, did not make it, as most roads to the hotel were closed amid student protests. Erick, who is also a businessman, however, sent his blessings for Okto’s candidacy through a video message.
“I believe that the KOI could keep developing and advancing if it had a leadership figure that had commitment, wide knowledge and a [good] track record and was internationally known. [So] I believe Okto is the best figure [to take on the task],” said Erick in a recorded video projected onto a big screen at the gathering on Tuesday evening.
The KOI election for 2019-2023 chairmanship is set to be held on Oct. 9, while Erick’s tenure ends in November.
