KONI enlarges team for Asian Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The national sports governing body has decided
\nto enlarge the national squad for the 12th Asian Games in
\nHiroshima this October.<\/p>\n
KONI chairman Surono said yesterday a total of 197 sportsmen
\nand women from 23 events qualify for the Games, following a
\nseries of meetings with all 26 sport organizations completed
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
"Based on reports addressed by officials of the sport
\nfederations during the consultative meetings, we found a swollen
\ncontingent is okay," said restless looking Surono who repeatedly
\nasked for brief questions to the crowding journalists. The
\nchairman said he was awaited in another meeting.<\/p>\n
He refused to go into detail, saying later yesterday that he
\nwas about to sign the decree on the national team line-up for the
\nGames. KONI is scheduled to officially announce the line-up
\ntoday.<\/p>\n
The three-week consultative meetings also concluded that
\nIndonesia will miss soccer, gymnastic and volleyball
\ncompetitions, as well as others. The Oct. 2-16 sporting festival
\nwill feature 34 events, with 337 gold medals up for grabs.<\/p>\n
The 23 sports Indonesia will compete in comprise of badminton,
\ntennis, table tennis, soft tennis, fencing, track and field,
\nsepak takraw, wind surfing, archery, karate, judo, taekwondo,
\nwushu, boxing, shooting, equestrian, golf, swimming, bowling,
\nweight lifting, wrestling, cycling, and rowing.<\/p>\n
"Performance is the only standard we use in picking the
\nathletes," Surono said. He denied speculations that a bigger team
\nwould need a greater amount of funds.<\/p>\n
Enough<\/p>\n
"The set budget of Rp 3 billion (US$1.38 million) will be
\nenough to finance the daily expenses of our contingent during the
\ncompetitions," said Surono. "Don't worry, there will be no
\nincreasing in the budget," he added.<\/p>\n
KONI's vice chairman Soesilo Soedarman received five checks
\nworth Rp 1.6 billion ($738,000) from a group of businessmen two
\nweeks ago and promised to collect more funds.<\/p>\n
"We have no alternatives for the fund rising program but
\nwaiting for helping hands from businessmen," Surono said.<\/p>\n
Surono had revealed earlier that the national contingent would
\ninclude only between 120 and 150 athletes for 16 events due to
\nthe financial deficit suffered by KONI following a ban over the
\ncontroversial lottery SDSB last year.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was powered by 138 athletes from 12 events in the
\nlast Games in Beijing four years ago. The national team managed
\nthree golds, six silvers and 21 bronzes for the seventh place.<\/p>\n
The country has bid to finish sixth this year, despite the
\nstrong challenge of five new entrants from former Soviet Union
\nrepublics.<\/p>\n
The national squad, led by KONI executive chairman Soeweno, is
\nslated to leave for Hiroshima on Sept. 25. (amd)<\/p>",
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