Indonesian President calls for promotion of Asian Games

Jakarta, April 19 (IANS) Indonesian President Joko Widodo has asked authorities to step up promotion and dissemination of information about the Asian Games scheduled to be held in the country next year.

President Widodo told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the ongoing promotion of the regional 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.

Widodo informed the meeting 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 Jakarta and Palembang city, the provincial capital of South Sumatra.

The Indonesian authorities have been finalising all preparation for the sports event

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

Indonesia has set a target of achieving the 8th rank at the Games with about 15 gold medals.