JAKARTA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Youth and Sport Minister Imam Nahrawi has stressed that tennis players of the country's squad have to defend the tradition of securing gold medal, the so called "gold tradition" during participation in international sport events.
Minister Nahrawi mentioned in a statement issued by the ministry on Friday that among the sport events are the forthcoming SEA Games and a pre-Olympic 2020 sport event.
"I understand that Indonesian tennis communities are willing and hope for continuation of the gold tradition," he revealed in the statement.
Indonesian tennis athletes, Christoher Rungkat and Aldila Sutjiadi, secured two gold medals during the last Asian Games in the country last year, according to the ministry.
"And please continue this tradition in SEA Games, so that we can pass into pre-Olympic," Minister Nahrawi said.
The government would retain its support of the tennis association in dealing with the preparation on the regional and international sport events, including providing venues for training and other essentials, he said.
"Let's give support so that the tennis can regain victory and maintain a gold tradition," he said.
Indonesian tennis squad has set a two gold medals target during the 30th biennial regional multi-sport event SEA Games scheduled to be held in the Philippines from November 30 to December 11.
