Indonesian President calls for promotion of Asian Games

Jakarta, April 18 : Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday asked authorities to step up promotion and information spread about Asian Games scheduled to be held in the country next year.

President Widodo told a cabinet meeting that the ongoing promotion of the continental multi-sport event has not been carried out maximally, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I think this (maximal promotion) is the thing that I have not seen," he said at the State Palace.

During the meeting, Widodo disclosed that he has signed a presidential decree on the implementation of the 18th Asian Games.

The 18th Asian Games will be held from August 18 to September 2, 2018 in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta and Palembang city, the provincial capital of South Sumatra.

The Indonesian authorities have been finalising all preparation for the sport event.

Indonesia was awarded the Games in September 2014, after the withdrawal of original host Vietnam for its economic reason.

Indonesia has set a target of the 8th rank in the event with about 15 gold medals.