Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir is urging Indonesia's National Paralympic Committee (NPC) to narrow the gap with Thailand in the cumulative gold medal tally at the Asian Para Games.
"Indonesia has won 76 gold medals across four editions of the Games, compared with Thailand's 91," Erick said at a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said Indonesia's status as Southeast Asia's largest country should be reflected in its sporting achievements, including at the Asian Para Games.
Erick stressed that catching up with Thailand was a long-term goal and did not necessarily have to be achieved at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
He added that Indonesia was exploring ways to close the gap in the cumulative gold-medal tally.
Although overtaking Thailand would not be easy, Erick said the goal could eventually be achieved with the support of NPC Indonesia's strong training facilities.
Erick said NPC Indonesia had made thorough and coordinated preparations for the 2026 Asian Para Games.
Indonesia will compete in 12 sports and is targeting seven gold medals, he said.
He said Indonesia could have won more medals if para chess, one of its strongest events, had remained on the program.
Erick urged NPC Indonesia to focus on its strongest sports to meet its medal target at the multi-sport event in Japan.
Related news: Prabowo backs para athletes through multi-year training camp funding
Translator: Aloysius L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
Copyright © ANTARA 2026