Agum says sorry for poor SEA Games showing
\n
\nMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Manila<\/p>\n
With Indonesia set for its worst ever showing at the 23rd
\nSoutheast Asian (SEA) Games, the National Sports Council (KONI)
\napologized on Sunday and promised a thorough evaluation of what
\nwent wrong.<\/p>\n
\"The result has been discouraging for us, and as KONI chief I
\napologize to the government, sports community and public. We have
\nfallen short of our expectations,\" KONI chairman Agum Gumelar
\ntold Indonesian reporters at the contingent's headquarters in
\nMakati, Manila.<\/p>\n
Indonesia lies in fifth place, a huge comedown for the nine-
\ntime overall winner which has never finished out of the top three
\nin the medal standings.<\/p>\n
\"I can't answer 'why?',\" Agum said when asked to explain the
\npoor performance. \"I promise a thorough evaluation of the
\nathletes' poor showing when we are back in Jakarta.\"<\/p>\n
Agum cautioned against pointing fingers at those considered
\nresponsible for the failure, including chef de mission Djoko
\nPramono, who is also KONI's deputy chairman.<\/p>\n
\"If there is anybody who should take the blame, it's me. It
\nnot Pak Djoko's nor the athletes' (fault).\"<\/p>\n
Ironically, Indonesia enjoyed its best day since the Games
\nstarted last Sunday, collecting 11 gold to bring its total to 49.
\nIt remained in fifth place, behind the Philippines -- now certain
\nto win its first ever overall title when the Games end on Monday
\n-- Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
A highlight was the unexpected gold of M. Hussein in table
\ntennis, breaking the country's four-year gold drought in the
\nsport by upsetting Richard Gonzales in the men's singles at Ninoy
\nAquino Stadium in Manila.<\/p>\n
Surabaya's Samai also contributed gold in a hard-fought race
\nin the criterium at the Rizal Memorial Park. An overjoyed Agum,
\nwho was watching with other members of the national contingent,
\nclimbed onto the podium to hug the cyclist before the playing of
\nthe national anthem, Antara news service reported.<\/p>\n
Sarce Aronggear completed a double victory as the canoeing
\nteam enjoyed a medal haul of four gold and three silver in
\nOlongapo City.<\/p>\n
Sarce won the women's singles 500-meter kayak before teaming
\nup with Rasima to take the doubles' 500-meter event. Silo and
\nLaode Hadi took the 500-meter kayak while Asnawair and Roinadi
\ntriumphed in the 500-meter canoeing.<\/p>\n
Pencak silat contributed another two gold from Cebu, courtesy
\nof Rony Saifullah in the men's 80 kilograms and Haris Nugroho in
\nthe 70 kilograms.<\/p>\n
Also in Cebu City, Ira Purnamasari defended her crown in the
\nwomen's 78 kilograms division to help the national team reach its
\ntarget of three gold.<\/p>\n
With Indonesian assured the gold in men's beach volleyball,
\nthe battle in the sand was more about who would have the right to
\ncall themselves the best in the nation.<\/p>\n
National number two pairing Andy Ardiansyah and Supriadi, as
\nthey did three times during the Indonesian Open series earlier
\nthis year, overcame higher ranked Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo
\n17-21, 21-16, 15-12.<\/p>\n
Tennis added a gold and a silver, with Wynne Prakusya
\nfeaturing in both doubles finals.<\/p>\n
Wynne and Romana Tedjakusuma defeated compatriots Septi Mende
\nand Ayu Fani Damayanti in the women's doubles, making Wynne the
\nfourth Indonesian tennis player to win three golds at a singles
\nSEA Games. She had a chance to make history in the mixed doubles
\nwith partner Suwandi, but they were beat in three sets by Eric
\nTaino and Riza Zalameda of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's last chance to reach 50 medals will come in the
\nmen's volleyball final again Thailand in Bacolod City. The
\ncountry is also represented in chess' two remaining events, but
\nis unlikely to win.<\/p>\n
The Games closing ceremony is scheduled to start at Quirino
\nGrandstand at 6 p.m.<\/p>",
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