September 9, 2026 | 05:17 pm
President Prabowo Subianto gives directions at the farewell ceremony for the Indonesian contingent at the 2025 SEA Games at the State Palace, Jakarta, December 5, 2025. Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has urged Indonesian athletes competing at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to give their best and demonstrate resilience in facing competitors from across Asia."Good luck as you represent your country and nation. Give your best for your country," Prabowo said at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 9, as broadcast online by the Presidential Secretariat.Prabowo also encouraged the athletes to compete with determination and not give up easily when facing athletes from other countries."Give your best. Represent our nation and show that Indonesian athletes are resilient, determined and unwilling to give up," he said.Prabowo formally sent off Indonesia's 430-athlete delegation for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.During the ceremony, Prabowo handed the Indonesian flag to Indonesian rock climber Veddriq Leonardo, who represented the athletes at the event.Prabowo said the 430 athletes would represent hundreds of millions of Indonesians at the continental sporting event through their skills and performances.He also thanked the athletes for their sacrifices and commitment to training as they pursue strong results at the Games.Prabowo said a strong nation is built by people who are strong physically, skilled and determined.A total of 281 members of the Indonesian delegation attended the send-off ceremony in person. The remaining athletes and officials had already traveled to Japan or were attending training camps overseas.
