Indonesia protests against OCA over weightlifting decision

Denpasar (Antaranews Bali) - Indonesia has sent a letter to the President of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to protest against its decision to drop the 62 kilogram class out of the weightlifting events in the upcoming Asian Games 2018.

"Indonesia has asked OCA not to continue to implement the decision made unilaterally as it would hurt Indonesia," Sports Minister Imam Nahrowi noted at the opening of a modern sports management training event here on Saturday.

He stated that he had deplored the decision as it could hurt Indonesia. "It could reduce medal collection because Indonesia, through Eko Yuli Irawan, has won a silver medal," he remarked.

The minister added that he planned to popularize "pencak silat" (Indonesian traditional martial arts) through a film produced in Hollywood.

"To make the Indonesian sport go global, we plan to make it known through a film that will be produced in Hollywood," he revealed.

Pencak silat indeed must be included in the Olympic Games in order to make it to the international arena, and minimally 70 countries must support it to be included in the event.

To make pencak silat known to the world, it must also be able to enter Sport Olympics and for that, cooperation between Indonesian diplomats and world fighters has to be developed.

"Therefore, I hailed the inclusion of pencak silat in a film episode in Hollywood in order to promote sports in Indonesia, which have not been included in international levels. I hope the screening of the film would make pencak silat go worldwide," the minister asserted.  (WDY)