REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, Imam Nahrawi has reported development of the country's athletes participation in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) 2017 to President Joko Widodo.
"I report the update of our participation in the SEA Games this afternoon that we are ranked fifth with 14 gold medals," Nahrawi said after he met President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the state palace, here on Wednesday.
According to Nahrawi, the president continues to give support and encouragement to Indonesian athletes, to avoid being discouraged and to keep doing their best.
The president also advised that the medals should be achieved fairly, in a sporting spirit, honestly and with full passion for the Red and White flag (for the country).
The minister admitted that the country's contingent has yet to reach the target in some sport branches. On the other hand, however, some athletes who were not targeted to snatch medals, to the surprise had been able to win gold medals.
In addition, Nahrawi also reported about the incident of misprinting of Indonesia's Red and White flag in a guide book in which the country's flag had been printed upside down for the VIP guests and that the Malaysian government has offered apology.
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"I told the president that there was a goodwill from the Malaysian government, where direct apology was conveyed by its ministers of youth and foreign minister," Nahrawi explained.
Owing to the good will, (Malaysia) has reprinted a new guide book to replace the old one," he revealed.
"After being checked, all the guide books have been replaced,
and he (President) nodded. To be sure I reported a letter from the Malaysian sports minister and Malaysian Foreign Minister, and he (president) smiled," Nahrawi disclosed.