Indonesia's contingent greeted in modest ceremony<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A modest welcoming ceremony greeted the return
\nhome of Indonesia's contingent after its three-week campaign at
\nthe just-concluded Olympics in Sydney.<\/p>\n
The squad -- which earned one gold, three silvers and two
\nbronzes from badminton and weightlifting -- arrived at Soekarno-
\nHatta international airport at 5.40 p.m.<\/p>\n
Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin led the
\nwelcoming ceremony in the VIP area while chef-de-mission Arie
\nSudewo led the 90-strong contingent.<\/p>\n
Also attending the ceremony were chairman of the National
\nSports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar, representatives of
\nsports organization and three former State Ministers of Youth
\nAffairs and Sport -- Hayono Isman, Agung Laksono and Mahadi
\nSinambela, whose office was abolished by President Abdurrahman
\nWahid last month.<\/p>\n
Yahya said in his speech that the government was proud of the
\nathletes' achievements in the Olympics.<\/p>\n
"We are proud of all of the athletes' achievements at a time
\nwhen we are confronted by great difficulties in this country.
\nHard work and persistence has borne fruit. One gold, three
\nsilvers and two bronzes are much better than we did four years
\nago."<\/p>\n
"I'm sure that in the next Olympics, Indonesia can do even
\nbetter through hard work," he said.<\/p>\n
Yahya added that the government would not give bonuses to the
\nmedal winners.<\/p>\n
"There is no reward from the government because this occasion
\nis somewhat new for us, the new cabinet. We're very sorry, but I
\nhave heard that KONI had prepared cash bonuses," he said.<\/p>\n
With the exception of the athletes and officials, his
\nstatement was booed by the people who attended the ceremony,
\nincluding the journalists. He quickly continued: "But hopefully,
\nwe can award you in the future."<\/p>\n
Indonesian men's doubles Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan took
\nthe gold and at the same time retained the gold medal tradition
\nsince badminton was first introduced in 1992. Indonesia won two
\ngolds in 1992 and one in 1996. It was the best achievement for
\nthe country in the quadrennial event since 1952.<\/p>\n
Mixed doubles Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur, men's singles
\nHendrawan and women's lifter Raema Lisa Rumbewas contributed one
\nsilver each. Lifters Winarni and Sri Indriyani added two bronzes
\nto the squad's tally.<\/p>\n
The salute to the athletes and officials was kicked off by
\nMahadi, who placed bouquets on badminton head coach Christian
\nHadinata, team manager Hadi Nazri and weightlifting coach Lukman.<\/p>\n
Irianese living in Jakarta performed a welcome dance to greet
\ntheir heroine Lisa.<\/p>\n
"We are surprised and we are touched by the fascinating
\nwelcome. As an Irianese, Lisa must be the pride of all Irian
\npeople, because she helped bring fame to Indonesia," said Lisa's
\nmother, Ida Rumbewas, when accompanying her daughter for an
\ninterview.<\/p>\n
Many young people rushed forward to get autographs from the
\nshuttlers after the ceremony.<\/p>\n
KONI will distribute bonuses to gold medalists of Rp 500
\nmillion (US$57,470) each, while individual silver medalists will
\nget Rp 300 million, doubles silver medalists Rp 200 million each
\nand bronze medalists Rp 150 million each.<\/p>\n
Garda Oto Insurance, a co-sponsor for the country's badminton
\nsquad, will also hand over cash bonuses to the shuttlers. The
\ngold medalists will get Rp 600 million each while silver
\nmedalists will pocket Rp 400 million each. Coaches and officials
\nwill get Rp 200 million each.<\/p>\n
Candra said that he would donate some of his cash bonus to
\neither an orphanage or his church.<\/p>\n
"There will be a small party to celebrate my victory. I have
\npromised myself to donate some of my bonus to either an orphanage
\nor the church. I can't win the gold medal without God's help."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Lisa said that she would save the money. "I may
\nsave it in the bank and I'll draw on it if I need it." (ivy)<\/p>",
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