Indonesian team leaves for Bangkok<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Most of the country's team for the Asian Games
\nleft on Thursday for Bangkok in an emotion-filled departure with
\ntheir families.<\/p>\n
Led by chef de mission Mochamad Hindarto, the contingent
\ndeparted from the Halim Perdanakusumah air base on an Air Force
\nBoeing 707. The military aircraft, piloted by commander of the
\n17th Squadron Lt. Col. Yadi Husiadi, took off at around 11:20
\na.m.<\/p>\n
The 130 people on board comprised 66 athletes, 23 coaches and
\n41 officials.<\/p>\n
Eleven of their teammates, who will compete in judo,
\nequestrian, swimming and yachting, traveled to Bangkok last
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Badminton and sepak takraw players, karate athletes, rowers
\nand shooters will fly to Bangkok in three separate groups on
\nSaturday, Sunday and Monday.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is fielding 128 athletes who will be gunning for
\nmedals in 21 out of 36 sports contested in the last games of the
\ncentury.<\/p>\n
This year's Asiad, the 13th since 1950 and the fourth hosted
\nby Thailand, will run from Dec. 6 through Dec. 20.<\/p>\n
Indonesia dropped a boxer at the last minute due to a school
\ncommitment. Chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing
\nAssociation, Sang Nyoman Suwisma, ordered lightweight Wilpare
\nJamhur to stay because he has to complete his study at the Army
\nschool of noncommissioned officers.<\/p>\n
\"He could not concentrate during training and it would take
\nhim three weeks to make up for his poor showing. His coach told
\nme he had no prospects at all based on his present form,\" Suwisma
\nsaid upon seeing off the boxing team on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Wilpare entered the school just two weeks ago. The school
\nexempted him from full attendance while he was training.<\/p>\n
\"He lacks responsibility and self-motivation to train. I know
\nhe is already exhausted with military training, but he must not
\nignore his preparation for the Games,\" a disappointed Suwisma
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Wilpare would not be given another chance to join the school
\nif he failed his exams, Suwisma added.<\/p>\n
Hindarto said it was impossible to pick a substitute for
\nWilpare because entry registration was closed.<\/p>\n
Emotional<\/p>\n
Athletes mingled with their families and relatives before
\nNational Sports Council chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar,
\nofficially sent them off.<\/p>\n
Female weightlifter Supeni lullabied her 18-month-old
\ndaughter. She walked about while her baby slept in her arms.<\/p>\n
In another section of the departure lounge, gymnast Jonathan
\nMangiring Sianturi chatted with his mother and girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Stand-in spiker Benny Martarius talked with his girlfriend
\nthrough his mobile phone.<\/p>\n
Anxiety also marked the day when women's tennis team backbones
\nYayuk Basuki and Irawati Moerid Iskandar failed to turn up on
\ntime.<\/p>\n
A restless tennis team manager, Benny Mailili, booked tickets
\non commercial flight for the two unpunctual players. Minutes
\nlater Yayuk and Irawati arrived, much to Benny's relief.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo, accompanied by the operational assistant to the Air
\nForce Chief of Staff, Rear Marshall Irawan Saleh, tried to
\npuncture the emotional farewell with some gaiety by asking the
\nteam to sing.<\/p>\n
Irawan said in his speech that the Air Force also reserved two
\nHercules C-130 airplanes for the national contingent.<\/p>\n
\"We just want to prove that we, the Armed Forces, care about
\nthe people. Therefore, it's out of proportion if people keep
\ndenouncing us.\"<\/p>\n
Hindarto said Benny Martarius would carry the national flag
\nduring the opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium on
\nSunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
The sports council originally picked national volleyball team
\ncaptain Loudry Maspaetella, but he refused because he will play
\non Monday morning.<\/p>\n
\"I am very happy because I never expected to be the flag
\nbearer,\" Benny, 25, said.<\/p>\n
Female fencer Fabiola Tirza Paulany Ratu and Olympic men's
\ndoubles badminton champion Rexy Ronald Mainaky will dress in
\ntraditional costumes during the opening ceremony march.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, officials forgot to pack the costumes. \"I don't
\nknow what kind of costumes are available at the Indonesian
\nEmbassy in Bangkok,\" Hindarto said. (yan)<\/p>",
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