All the best for our athletes<\/p>\n
The Southeast Asian Games opened on Friday at the My Dinh
\nNational Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, with much fanfare.<\/p>\n
The 22nd Games are particularly significant on two counts.
\nFirst because it is the first time Vietnam has hosted the
\nbiennial event. So far, only six countries, Thailand, Malaysia,
\nIndonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam have
\nhosted the Games.<\/p>\n
It is also the first time East Timor, the youngest nation in
\nthe world after its secession in 1999 from Indonesia, joins the
\nGames, bringing the number of contesting countries to 11.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's 597 athletes will compete to achieve the target
\nset by the National Sports Council (KONI) to bring home at least
\n70 gold medals. In the 32 sports contested there are 427 winner's
\nmedals at stake.<\/p>\n
The target is only half of that targeted by archrival
\nThailand, which has set its sights on 140 golds.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, Indonesia set its hopes on 70 golds, but was
\nonly able to nail down 44, bowing out to Thailand and,
\nsurprisingly, Malaysia. It was the first time that Indonesia
\nfinished in third place after previously always coming first. The
\ncountry has been unable to pick up the pace ever since.<\/p>\n
Sports officials failed to learn from the experience and the
\nnational squad again finished third in the 2001 Games in Kuala
\nLumpur with 71 golds, after host Malaysia with 111 golds and
\nThailand with 104 golds.<\/p>\n
What is the reason?<\/p>\n
Sports officials used to blame the lack of funds, due to the
\n1997 economic crisis that hit Indonesia and the region. But their
\nargument overlooked the fact that Indonesia wasn't the only
\ncountry under financial strain. Thailand and Malaysia were also
\nhit by the crisis yet still excelled in the event. And now we can
\nwitness Vietnam emerging as a powerful contender. In line with
\nits ambition for sporting excellence, Vietnam spent US$350
\nmillion on the construction of 36 stadiums, arenas and training
\ncenters ion preparation for the Games.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's failure can be traced from sports development at
\nthe grassroots level. With fewer and fewer schools having their
\nown sports facilities -- particularly for track and field events,
\ngymnastics and swimming, events that are \"gold-medal mines\" for
\nthe winning countries -- many youngsters are deprived of
\nparticipating in these sports.<\/p>\n
With a population of more than 210 million citizens, Indonesia
\nhas only the Bung Karno Sports Complex, built in 1962 for the
\nfourth Asian Games in Jakarta. The sports complex met
\ninternational standards at the time, but its condition is now
\npoor.<\/p>\n
School curricula, that emphasize intellectual capacity rather
\nthan physical activity, are also a major factor in the country's
\nfailure in the Asian Games arena.<\/p>\n
These factors lead to an inconsistency in long-term training
\nprograms, which are crucial in creating champions. Students with
\nathletic ability reach the point-of-no-return when they are
\nconvinced to follow an academic path rather than a career in
\nsports.<\/p>\n
For potential athletes their crucial decision is an early one.
\nChoosing an academic education means forgoing their heyday, but
\nopens the chance of becoming an otherwise successful individual
\nin society. Pursuing a career in sports means they may get the
\nglory, although for a limited period, but a less-than bright-
\nfuture after their retirement.<\/p>\n
The situation is worsened by the government's lack of
\nrecognition for international-class athletes.<\/p>\n
Even Olympic gold medalists, like shuttlers Rexy Mainaky or
\nCandra Wijaya, only get a cash bonus (minus income tax) after
\ntheir victories dwindle. There is no such financial support such
\nas a pension, or even free facilities, for these sporting greats.
\nTherefore, parents are reluctant to encourage their children to
\nbecome athletes.<\/p>\n
Indonesia must learn from neighboring countries like Thailand
\nand Malaysia, which give full recognition and support to their
\nathletes.<\/p>\n
This support is not just material, like the construction of
\nsports complexes in universities or districts. Sports campaigns,
\nwhereby \"big\" sports teams are invited from all over the world to
\nshow off their abilities to the youngsters are also promoted.<\/p>\n
Can Indonesia follow in their steps?<\/p>\n
With state officials busy preparing themselves for next year's
\nelections, there is little chance for our athletes to win their
\nsupport. The athletes have to work hard on their own and the
\npublic should give them more concrete support, especially those
\nyoungsters who fight hard abroad to hoist the red-and-white flag
\nand play the Indonesia Raya national anthem.<\/p>\n
All the best for the Indonesian squad in Vietnam.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/all-the-best-for-our-athletes-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }