8 Biggest International Sports Events in Indonesia

International sport becomes one of the big events that make everyone proud once it is held in one of their countries. Just like other countries, Indonesia commonly participates in some big events such as International sports as well.

Not only becomes a participant, once in a while commonly the country was chosen as the host of the international sports events. That makes Indonesia should prepare some stadiums that meet international standards.

Even so, Indonesia seems capable to handle it as well so that some international sports events are happening in Indonesia so many times as part of the facts about Indonesian sport. Speaking of it, here we have some of them.

Let’s check them out below!

1. Asian Games 1962

Asian Games 1962 becomes the first international sports event in Indonesia. The event was held between 24 August – 4 September 1962 in GBK stadium, Jakarta. It was followed by 17 countries with 1.460 athletes in 15 sports.

Asian Games 1962 brought the biggest history for Indonesia as it triggered the government to build an international stadium. They also developed some buildings around the stadium, such as the most luxurious hotels in Jakarta, entertainments building, transportation access, and many more.

Asian Games 1962 make Indonesia show up to the international world as the country won the second podium with 11 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 23 bronze medals.

2. GANEFO 1963

GANEFO 1963 is a kind of international sports event that stands out for developing countries. As the game for emerging forces, GANEFO 1963 participated by 2.700 athletes from 51 countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

GANEFO 1963 is commonly well-known as the protest Olympic for some developing countries as they got criticized by the International Olympic Committee. The effects of GANEFO made Indonesia banned to participate in Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

3. SEA Games 1979

SEA Games is an international sports event for Southeast Asian countries. In 1979, Indonesia proudly becomes the host of the biggest Olympics in ASEAN. It was held in Jakarta, between 21-30 September 1979.

As for Indonesia, they brought their Indonesia national football team, national badminton team, and another team as well to participate in the games.

SEA Games 1979 participated by seven countries of Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and Myanmar. Indonesia brought the general champion with 92 gold medals, 78 silver medals, and 52 bronze medals.

4. SEA Games 1987

In around 1987 as the SEA Games Olympics continues 14h times, Indonesia trusted becomes the host for the second time. It becomes the most waited international event for Indonesian as they became overwhelmed by the sports events.

SEA Games 1987 was held from around 9 December – 20 December 1987 in Jakarta. It was participated by eight countries as Cambodia participated at the games. At that time, Indonesia becomes the general champion as the country won 183 gold medals for a total of 403 medals.

5. SEA Games 1997

SEA Games 1997 becomes one of the international sports events in Indonesia that was held there for the third time. The Olympics was participated by ten countries as Vietnam and Laos participated at the games lately.

SEA Games 1997 was held in Jakarta and West Java as the athletics becomes adding in amount. There were new athletics such as Canoeing and mountain bike competition that were held outside Jakarta.

At the SEA Games 1997, Indonesia won the general championship with about 194 gold medals, 101 silver medals, and 115 bronze medals. Thailand becomes the runner-up and was followed by Malaysia as the third winner of the competition.

6. SEA Games 2011

SEA Games 2011 becomes one of the most exciting international sports events in Indonesia. That is because Indonesia became the host again after the last events held in 1997. It was held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra in between 11 – 22 November 2011.

SEA Games 2011 brought Indonesia to be the general champions after winning 182 gold medals from the total 552 gold medals. It was participated by eleven countries after Timor Leste came to join the Olympics.

7. Asian Games 2018

Asian Games 2018 becomes one of the biggest international sports events in Indonesia. It was held in Jakarta and Palembang between 18 August – 2nd September 2018. The event was participated by 45 countries from Asia with more than 11.700 athletes.

Asian Games became the greatest moment for China as they won the general championship after winning 132 gold medals, 92 silver medals, and 65 bronze medals. Indonesia got the four position after Japan becomes the runner up and South Korea won the third podium.

8. Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2018

Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2018 becomes one of the biggest international sports events in Indonesia that focused on the Badminton championship as one of the most popular sports competitions in Indonesia. It was held in Jakarta between 23 January – 28 January 2018.

Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2018 becomes part of the BWF world tour. It brought Indonesia to win the gold medals by men’s single by the Indonesian athlete, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. He won after defeating Japanese athlete, Kazumasa Sakai.

Daihatsu Indonesia Master 2018 becomes the start of the international badminton championship following the next Indonesia Masters 2019 and 2020. That also makes Indonesia finally becomes the host of Indonesia Open 2021 that will hold in Bali around November 2021. It brings the most excitement to some Bali tourist attractions in Indonesia.

So, there are some of the biggest international sports events that were held in Indonesia. Most of them brought Indonesia to be well-known internationally by their capability from the athletes. Those events make the greatest proud for Indonesian who commonly won so many medals in most of those Olympics. Which one becomes your favorite championship?