One hundred and twenty days ahead of the 18th Asian Games, President Joko Widodo complained about poor promotional activities for the sports event. The President’s criticism is justified. There is no resonance from the Asian Games preparation.
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One hundred and twenty days ahead of the 18th Asian Games, President Joko Widodo complained about poor promotional activities for the sports event.
At a limited Cabinet meeting on April 18, 2018, the President said, “I can see that on the promotional side of the Asian Games, both in local and international media, there is no movement yet.” The President instructed the relevant ministries to improve public relations efforts of the competition, which is to be attended by 45 countries.
The President’s criticism is justified. There is no resonance from the Asian Games preparation. In Jakarta and Palembang, there are still activities relating to the construction of the venues. Workers are trying to finish the construction but doubt the job can be finished on time. Outside Jakarta and Palembang, the resonance of the Asian Games is louder.
Billboards welcoming the Asian Games 2018 cannot compete with the billboards of political elites selling themselves as lawmakers, presidents or vice presidents. There will be regional elections in June. The willingness of Jakarta or Indonesia to host the Asian Games is criticized once in a while by political elites as a waste of money. Jakarta was appointed as the host city for the 18th Asian Games by the Asian Olympic Council back in July 2014, despite the risks associated with holding the competition in what was known would be a year of major political events.
We see the Asian Games as an opportunity to rekindle national unity. Staging the event, especially if Indonesian athletes do well, will be a prolonged success story for Indonesia and will awaken our pride as a nation.
Indonesia must not fail in its role as the host of the Asian Games, because it concerns the nation\'s self-esteem. It concerns the dignity of the nation. We encourage all parties to take part in intensifying the promotion of the Asian Games. Broadcast and print media, websites as well as outdoor media and social media should all be involved in the promotion and socialization of the Asian Games in a mutually beneficial relationship.
The willingness to host the Asian Games should not be half-hearted. This nation must show its superior culture with a strong work ethic. Sports will be an effective means to showcase the nation\'s progress, showcase the nation\'s technological capabilities, as well as showcase the progress of Palembang and of the capital city of Jakarta.
Aside from the preparation, sportive achievement and good organization should also be our priorities. We all have to be committed and make the 18th Asian Games a triple success: successful implementation, successful participation and successful administration. The last point is important, so that after the Games, the story would not become one of negligence leading to corruption.