Friendship is the Arafura Games' motto<\/p>\n
DARWIN, Australia (JP): The Arafura Games' participants have
\nagreed to maintain the biennial event's unique characteristic,
\nwhich is that it is based on friendship.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's chef de mission Indra Djati Sidi said after the
\nheads of delegation meeting at Parliament House, which was
\nchaired yesterday by Northern Territory Minister for Sport and
\nRecreation Steve Hatton, that a unique feature of the event was
\nthat a country could send more than one squad.<\/p>\n
\"We know that Australia and Malaysia are both sending more
\nthan one team. I told them that it's OK because we aim to build
\nfriendship through sport, instead of being rivals,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Australia is sending 12 teams -- eight teams from its six
\nstates, and the Australian Capitol Territory, Australian Country,
\nAustralian Defense Forces and the Northern Territory Country.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's teams are Malaysia Country, Kuala Lumpur, Johore,
\nPenang and Sabah.<\/p>\n
\"We saw yesterday that an athlete from Hainan, China, produced
\na new discuss record. I also told them that if Indonesia only
\nsends Kudus, Central Java, or Jakarta in badminton means all
\ninternational shuttlers will play,\" Indra said.<\/p>\n
\"We have the SEA Games, the Asian Games and the Olympics. We
\nwant to keep the Arafura Games as a medium to strengthen
\nrelationships among participants,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indra denied this could cause Indonesia to neglect
\nachievements at the event.<\/p>\n
\"All countries will improve. Maybe we don't realize it, but
\neach team -- national, provincial or group -- will raise their
\nfuture standards,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sports festival<\/p>\n
The Arafura Games, widely known as the Arafura Sports
\nFestival, were set up in 1991 by the Northern Territory and
\nIndonesian governments to provide top level competition for
\ndeveloping athletes from the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n
It began with only 2,300 athletes and officials but this year
\nthere will be more than 5,000 representatives.<\/p>\n
Cambodia, China, Niue Island, the Solomon Islands, Vietnam,
\nSouth Africa and India received warm welcomes in their first
\nappearance at the games.<\/p>\n
Indra said organizers were considering holding the event
\nduring school holidays because many competitors were students.<\/p>\n
\"I think June or July is the perfect time because our athletes
\nand athletes from other countries are usually students. If the
\nevent is staged during holidays, it won't disrupt their study,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Indra said Indonesia's second or third string squad must learn
\nfrom the event.<\/p>\n
\"It's invaluable experience to compete in an international
\nevent. It's also to boost their mental composure and teach them
\nnot to be nervous about their opponents,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's a good warming up for the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA)
\nGames in Jakarta in October,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam are preparing their athletes
\nfor the SEA Games, while Thailand is sending its third squad,
\nwhich is being prepared for the 1998 Asian Games. (yan)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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