Equestrian team to compete at Asiad<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) is at the
\ncenter of yet more controversy on its selection of athletes for
\nthe 13th Asian Games after it gave the green light to equestrians
\nto compete in Bangkok.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the council Wismoyo Arismunadar justified
\nyesterday the decision for both practical grounds and medal-
\nwinning prospects.<\/p>\n
\"They will be in Thailand until before the Asiad, so why don't
\nwe let them stay longer for the Games? Their international
\nachievements are okay, and they can cover their own expenses,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"This is a special policy. We shouldn't argue about this.
\nSometimes a policy goes against the rules but we can accept it
\nfor the sake of its benefits.\"<\/p>\n
The council earlier announced that only prospective medal
\nwinners would form the national team for the Asiad. Selection of
\nthe athletes was to be based on their records or world rankings.<\/p>\n
Equestrian events are not listed among the priority sports for
\nIndonesia in this year's Asiad. Due to the financial crisis, the
\ncouncil expects to send a tiny team to the quadrennial games.<\/p>\n
But Wismoyo has also backed the national soccer team's return
\nto the Games, despite its failure to lift an international title
\nsince clinching the Southeast Asian Games gold in 1989.<\/p>\n
The dispensations drew a dressing-down from national tennis
\nteam manager, Benny Mailili, who accused the council Tuesday of
\nadhering to a double standard allowing \"rich\" sports
\norganizations to send their athletes to the Games.<\/p>\n
The equestrian team comprises Ardi Hapsoro, Indra Rosendi, Roy
\nIbrahim, Rafiq Hakim Radinal, Putri Wulandari and Kurniadi
\nMustopha. They will compete in six events of the Southeast Asian
\nleague of the Volvo World Cup, one stop of which will be in
\nThailand in November.<\/p>\n
They leave for the Malaysian leg tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Rafiq, who also chairs the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian
\nHorse Society, said both the league and the Asian Games were
\namong the qualifying events for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Ardi, the country's best hope in the individual event, said
\nthe team had a major chance to win at least a bronze medal in the
\nAsiad equestrian team event.<\/p>\n
\"We will only face stiff challenges from Saudi Arabia and
\nJapan,\" said Ardi, runner-up in the 1997 SEA league series.<\/p>\n
Rafiq said land transportation and accommodation fees for the
\noverseas trips alone would cost the society about Rp 500 million
\n(US$38,500).<\/p>\n
The Navy has promised to provide ships to transport horses and
\nvehicles for the equestrian team. (yan)<\/p>",
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