Pride of the Nation

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Asian Games mascots Bhin Bhin (left), Kaka (center) and Atung join the parade on Aug. 18 during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno main stadium in Senayan, Jakarta. Athletes from 45 countries are competing in 40 sports at the international multisport event, which runs through Sept. 2.

Low funding does not necessarily mean poor performance. This is what we are seeing in our athletes’ heroic achievements in the 2018 Asian Games. They are the pride of the nation.

Their achievements come despite the fact that majority of sport associations struggled to run their national training camps (pelatnas). Ahead of the 2018 Asian Games, the Youth and Sports Ministry allocated at least Rp 600 billion (US$41.01 million) for pelatnas and Rp 135 billion for other needs.

This is far below the collective total of more than Rp 1.2 trillion the associations had proposed to meet the government’s target of finishing in the top 10 of the medal ranking. Because of the insufficient funding, the ministry then reviewed each proposal based on the sport’s medal potential. Many athletes ended up purchasing their own training equipment and received their honorariums late. Preparing the sports also faced many hurdles.

The situation was similar to Indonesia’s experience in hosting the 2011 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The 2011 SEA Games opening ceremony helped boost our athletes’ performances in their events, despite the lack of proper preparation. The stunning opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games also boosted our athletes’ fighting spirit, despite the numerous setbacks they endured at the national training camps.

Apart from the opening ceremony, sports fans arrived in enthusiastic droves to the venues to watch numerous events, which also boosted our athletes. They all gave their best for their supporters. The Rp 1.5 billion incentive for every gold medal an athlete won also drew out their best performances.

Even President Joko Widodo had been concerned that the Indonesian public would not be enthusiastic about the Games, due to a lack of promotion. “I see that Asian Games promotions, both in local and international media, do not appear to have progressed much,” the President said on April 18 during a limited Cabinet meeting.

Today, Indonesia has surpassed its target of winning 16 golds and ranking among the top 10 medal countries. All worries concerning achievements and attendance have been proved unnecessary. Our athletes have won 24 golds so far, and more may be yet come.

Once again, a lack of funding does not necessarily mean a lack of achievements, as long as our athletes have the will to give their best. Our athletes must maintain their confidence and their dedication to give their best before an event, and refrain from feeling defeat. Herein lies the importance of maintaining unity between all sports stakeholders, including coaches, athletes and the government. Only through a united effort can we achieve our best, regardless of poor funding.

Our athletes and the Indonesian people have shown their love for our country. With better preparations, our athletes will surely claim even higher achievements. The government should reward their love with better sports planning and development programs to prevent unnecessary concerns over poor performances from ever surfacing again.