Indonesia ready for SEA Games, whatever the rules<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite uncertainty on whether host Thailand
\nwill eventually apply internationally-accepted rules in the 18th
\nSoutheast Asia Games, Indonesia is ready for the games.<\/p>\n
\"Whether or not Thailand addresses our protests, we are ready
\nto compete in Chiang Mai,\" Moch. Hindarto, the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI)'s training director, told The Jakarta Post
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The biennial Games will be held in Chiang Mai, a hilly
\nnorthern part of Thailand, from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17.<\/p>\n
Hindarto was referring to KONI's official letter to host
\nThailand, sent last August, questioning its intention to apply
\nrules which differ from international ones.<\/p>\n
One of the different rules is that the rhythmic gymnastics
\nevent -- at which Thailand gymnasts excel -- will offer seven
\ngold medals rather than only one as applied internationally.<\/p>\n
\"So far, Thailand has not answered our letter,\" said Hindarto.
\nThailand responded favorably to Singapore's demand that each
\nparticipating country be given access to only one yacht, as
\nprescribed by the international rules, not two as Thailand wanted
\nin the first instance.<\/p>\n
\"As far as our requests (to Thailand to respect the
\ninternational rules) are concerned, that was the only positive
\nanswer I have heard so far,\" Hindarto added, reiterating that
\neven though Thailand is the host, there is no such thing as
\nadjusting international rules to its needs.<\/p>\n
War<\/p>\n
Such irritating, nerve-racking maneuvers by Thailand are not
\nunfamiliar to Indonesia's tennis queen Yayuk Basuki.<\/p>\n
Hence, she has warned that mental preparations are more
\nimportant than technical preparations for Indonesian athletes to
\ncompete at the upcoming 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai,
\nThailand.<\/p>\n
\"Without belittling the (technical) preparations, I think
\nmental preparations deserve greater attention,\" said the Women's
\nTennis Association's 28th rank on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Yayuk said she came to that conclusion after her semifinal
\nmatch against Thailand's Sakolwan Karcharoen at the 1985 SEA
\nGames in Bangkok, Thailand, which was Yayuk's first SEA Games
\nappearance.<\/p>\n
\"The linesmen made so many one-sided decisions which almost
\nwore out my patience. I ended up being the bronze medalist,\"
\nYayuk recalled.<\/p>\n
Another nerve-racking test came in the women's doubles when
\nYayuk, paired with Suzanna Wibowo, had to take on Sakolwan and
\nTosaporn Summa.<\/p>\n
\"Suzanna was so furious at the linesmen's usual one-sided
\ndecisions that she threw and broke a bottle on the court,\" added
\nYayuk, who will play in two singles events and one team event at
\nthe Games.<\/p>\n
Chiang Mai's cool climate in December, which Indonesian
\nathletes may find cold, is another problem. But KONI has
\nanticipated this. \"Some of our track and field athletes have been
\ntraining in the mountainous area of Lembang, West Java, to
\nacclimatize themselves to Chiang Mai's December climate,\"
\nHindarto said. (arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-ready-for-sea-games-whatever-the-rules-1447893297",
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