Good luck in the SEA Games Arena, Indonesia!

The long-awaited day has finally arrived. The ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, on December 9 will officially open the Thailand 2025 SEA Games. Indonesia will also officially begin its struggle in this sporting event.

For months, the athletes have been training. Their process has not always been smooth. There was a budget efficiency at the beginning of the year, which affected several training centers and resulted in some athletes being sent home. The training and preparation programs that had been arranged to ensure that the athletes' preparations were not rushed have also faced obstacles.

As the situation gradually stabilizes and the implementation of the SEA Games is just three months away, the Minister of Youth and Sports has been replaced. Although the sports branch officials claim that they are not significantly affected by this reshuffle, a change in the Minister is always accompanied by a change in policy.

One month before the SEA Games, athletes and sports officials are still overshadowed by uncertainty. The government, through the Minister of Youth and Sports, has yet to determine which athletes and which sports will participate in the SEA Games.

Now, all of that has passed. The time has come for the athletes to showcase their actions on the field and to fight with all their heart and strength. We hope that the venues of the SEA Games in Thailand will always display the sight of the Red and White flag waving and the sound of "Indonesia Raya" resounding. Finally, good luck in your endeavors, Indonesia!

"For me, the SEA Games is about perfecting achievements. Although this is a debut, there is no excessive burden because we have gone through the process to the fullest, worked hard, and not forgotten to pray, so now it is Allah who determines the outcome. I cannot determine the result, but I can focus on the process and work hard. I am optimistic that our hard work will bear fruit and we will prove that we are indeed the strongest team."

"At the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, archery won the overall championship with five gold medals, one in the compound event. We now want to improve to two or three gold medals. If we can achieve three, that would be extraordinary. So far, the recurve has been the backbone."

"If they can compete in the SEA Games in Thailand 2025 and also have a stable performance record, not fluctuating, it is not impossible for these young climbers to also compete for a spot in the Asian Games. Moreover, the ultimate goal, in the medium term, is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This means that athletes participating in the SEA Games today could potentially qualify for the Olympics."

"Of course, it is a pride (as the defending champion) for us in Southeast Asia that our football is better than before. For us, a developing team will certainly boost our confidence. We are confident that, especially in the group stage, the team will give its best. Will it be a burden? We emphasize that this is a new team. This is a new spirit. And this is a new opportunity. So, it will not be a burden for us."

"I never imagined that this year I would be able to participate in many competitions. I had set targets, but I didn't think it would all happen in 2025. The SEA Games in Thailand 2025 is special because it will be the first time participating in a championship alongside senior athletes, who are also Olympic athletes. There is still a sense of nervousness because the competition cannot be fully assessed yet. Therefore, I will focus on my own performance. If I deliver my best, I believe the medals will follow."

Dear readers, Kompas daily is opening a Letters to Athletes column, which contains opinions, encouragement, or comments regarding the performance of Indonesian athletes at the 2025 SEA Games Thailand. Send your short comments, a minimum of two sentences and a maximum of six sentences, by filling in the column below. We will publish selected comments in Kompas daily during the 2025 SEA Games.