Indonesia 'must adopt an athlete's spirit'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie told the nation on
\nTuesday to use the spirit of sportsmanship as its model of
\nconduct when coping with present challenges.<\/p>\n
Speaking before the national contingent for the Bangkok Asian
\nGames, Habibie said the way athletes strived for achievement
\nshould encourage the new spirit the nation needs to flourish.<\/p>\n
"In this difficult situation, we need more patience, efforts
\nand hard work while maintaining our composure. Clamor, panic and
\nhastiness in dealing with those difficulties will only cause new
\nproblems," Habibie said.<\/p>\n
Accompanying the athletes during the ceremony at the State
\nPalace were National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo
\nArismunandar, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
\nLaksono, Minister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, chairman of the
\nBadminton Association of Indonesia Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, who is
\nalso the Army Chief of Staff, and chairman of the Indonesian Judo
\nAssociation, Abdullah Mahmud Hendroprijono, who is also
\ntransmigration minister.<\/p>\n
It was Habibie's first meeting with a sports mission since
\ntaking office in May.<\/p>\n
Habibie said the economic turmoil battering the country since
\nthe middle of 1997 should not serve as an excuse to ignore
\nsports development in the country.<\/p>\n
"We deserve to thank God because while suffering this
\nadversity we are able to prepare our athletes for the Asian
\nGames."<\/p>\n
The President asked national athletes to maintain their spirit
\ndespite the fact the government could not provide sufficient
\nfunding for them.<\/p>\n
"People across the country will watch you fighting on TV, so
\nnever disappoint them," Habibie said.<\/p>\n
The government has allocated Rp 7.5 billion to finance the
\nyear-long training program for the Games. The sports council also
\nreceived another Rp 5 billion from businesspeople and provinces
\nwhose athletes are part of the national squad.<\/p>\n
The straitened times was apparent as the national contingent
\ndressed in the same red-and-white suits they wore during the
\nSoutheast Asian Games last year.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is fielding 129 athletes who will compete in 21 out
\nof 36 medal sports at the Asiad. They are expected to win six
\ngold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.<\/p>\n
The biggest part of the contingent will depart on Thursday,
\nthree days before the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n
Indonesia hopes to win its first medal in almost three decades
\nfrom Ruwiyati in the women's marathon. The long-distance run for
\nboth sexes will take place on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
"Ruwiyati has a great chance to win a bronze. She will take on
\ntough opposition from Chinese, South Korean and Japanese
\nrunners," Indonesia's chief of the mission Mochamad Hindarto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indonesian last won a bronze medal in track and field at the
\n1970 Asiad, also in Bangkok, through women's 200-meter runner
\nCarolina Riewpassa.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the contingent Muhammad Sarengat added that high
\ntemperatures would be an advantage to two-time Southeast Asian
\nGames gold medalist Ruwiyati.<\/p>\n
"Ruwiyati won at 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and
\nthe Bangkok Open this year. She knows the country well," said
\nSarengat, a former Asian Games men's sprint record holder.<\/p>\n
Sports expert Arnold Lisapaly said that Ruwiyati could win a
\nmedal thanks to her outstanding self-confidence.<\/p>\n
"Even though she is taking part in her first Asiad, she
\ndoesn't express any pessimism," he said. (yan)<\/p>",
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