JAKARTA (ANTARA) – Head of Delegation (CdM) of Indonesia to the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, Reksind Hakim, has praised host country Cambodia for its efforts in ensuring the Games run smoothly and successfully.
He added that as this was Cambodia’s first time hosting the SEA Games, Indonesia understood and ignored some of the issues during the tournament.
“On the one hand, we understood that this is Cambodia’s first time hosting (the SEA Games). Despite all the restrictions and obstacles, they responded very well when we conveyed our opinions and protests,” Hakim said after taking part in a welcome event for the SEA Games athletes at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten province on Thursday night.
Indonesia also appreciates Cambodia’s efforts to hold the SEA Games as long as possible until the closing ceremony on Wednesday (May 17, 2023), he added.
“Overall, they were successful despite some deficiencies (during the competition),” he continued.
The head of the delegation said Indonesia’s success in significantly improving its medal tally for the 2021 Southeast Asian Games this year was the result of teamwork among the athletes and all stakeholders.
Indonesia will win 87 gold, 80 silver and 109 bronze medals at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, placing third. At the 2021 Southeast Asian Games, the Indonesian national team won 69 gold, 91 silver and 81 bronze medals, but also placed third.
“This is the result of teamwork and seriousness among athletes from all sports and all involved, and we are united for Indonesia today. We have only one goal, to sing (national anthem) Indonesia Raya, and this is our success,” Hakim said.
He also highlighted Indonesia’s success in team sports, though it has previously only been known for its strength in individual events.
At the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, Indonesia won gold medals in men’s football, men’s volleyball, men’s beach volleyball, men’s indoor hockey and women’s cricket.
“Perhaps all this time, Indonesia has performed the same in individual events, but the results at the SEA Games give us hope that team events are gradually improving,” Hakim added.
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