Brunei prepared to host 20th SEA Games in 1999<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An official of Brunei's sport council yesterday
\nconfirmed that his country was willing to host the 20th SEA Games
\nin 1999.<\/p>\n
Thalib Haji Berudin of Majelis Olimpiade Kebangsaan Brunei
\nsaid the government of Brunei had decided to take the helm of the
\nnext SEA Games.<\/p>\n
The SEA Games Federation earlier told all participating
\ncountries to decide among themselves who the host of the 20th SEA
\nGames would be before the opening of this year's biennial event.<\/p>\n
The 19th SEA Games will be held in Jakarta from Oct. 11 to
\nOct. 19.<\/p>\n
Brunei finally took the decision after no other countries
\noffered to stage the next Games in 1999.<\/p>\n
\"The organization of the 1999 Games events will be centralized
\nin Bandar Seri Begawan,\" said Thalib after meeting with the
\nNational Sports Council vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, yesterday.<\/p>\n
Given its small population of only 300,000, he said Brunei
\nwould seek technical assistance in organizing the event from
\nother SEA Games participating countries.<\/p>\n
He said that Brunei would try to finish its main stadium in
\nBandar Sri Begawan by the end of this year.<\/p>\n
\"Brunei is planning to stage between 16 and 20 events for the
\n20th SEA Games,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The SEA Games rules stipulate that at least 16 events should
\nbe staged.<\/p>\n
Responding to Thalib's call, Arie said Indonesian officials
\nwould share with Brunei their experience in organizing regional
\nsporting events.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia hails Brunei's decision to be the host of the
\ncoming SEA Games as normally there is a transfer of the SEA Games
\nflag at the closing ceremony of the sporting event,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On Indonesia's SEA Games preparation, he said: \"the organizing
\ncommittee hopefully will get enough funds to train athletes and
\npay local and foreign officials\".<\/p>\n
He told reporters that all venues were expected to be ready
\nbefore October.<\/p>\n
For the organization of soccer events, he said, the committee
\nhad decided to use a stadium in Bogor, West Java.<\/p>\n
\"The stadium has been refurbished for the soccer events,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Soccer events will start on Oct. 6.<\/p>\n
The council's chairman, Wismoyo, earlier said soccer matches
\nmeant a lot to locals and so Indonesia's soccer team should do
\ntheir best.<\/p>\n
Indonesia footballers and other athletes should strive to
\nreclaim the overall title, which was taken away by Thailand in
\n1995.<\/p>\n
The country finished second overall in the Games in Thailand
\nin 1995 with 77 golds, 67 silvers and 77 bronzes.<\/p>\n
The council has predicted Indonesia will win nearly 150 golds
\nat this year's event.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is grooming 822 athletes -- although it originally
\nplanned on 810 -- 166 local coaches and 30 foreign. (03)<\/p>",
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