Mega slammed after she complains<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has been criticized for her
\nreprimand of national athletes and their performances in the
\njust-concluded Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, with sports officials
\nurging the president to personally visit the athletes in order to
\nhave a better perspective of the condition of sports in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Djoko Pramono, chef de mission for the country's contingent to
\nthe 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, said on Tuesday
\nthat, as a national leader, the President should look into how
\nthe athletes put aside personal interest for the sake of the
\nnation.<\/p>\n
\"Please don't condemn our athletes. I will not accept it,\" he
\ntold reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony awarding bonuses to
\nall medalists in Senayan.<\/p>\n
Earlier, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said that she felt
\nashamed after Indonesia finished behind Vietnam and Thailand in
\nthe medal count last week for the SEA Games during a meeting with
\nthe Indonesian community in Islamabad.<\/p>\n
Megawati said Indonesians lacked \"the will\" to strive and had
\nno national pride.<\/p>\n
Djoko said the athletes had done their best in the competition
\nand would continue battling to see the red and white flag hoisted
\nin international events.<\/p>\n
He said that national sport officials needed to work harder to
\nprovide more information to the President about the conditions
\nthat athletes face in this country.<\/p>\n
\"The President must know the reality, that the condition is
\nnot good, which makes the athletes not competitive even in the
\nSoutheast Asian region.<\/p>\n
\"The whole situation here (lack of real government commitment)
\njust does not support high level athletic development. It's not
\nthe athletes to blame. Underline that!,\" he ordered reporters.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Sport Council (KONI) chairman Agum Gumelar, who is
\nalso the country's transportation minister, refused direct
\ncomment but seemed offended by Megawati's harsh words.<\/p>\n
\"I am speechless and truly sorry to hear about the statement,\"
\nAgum said.<\/p>\n
He said that the athletes deserved a lot of recognition and
\nappreciation for what they had managed to do in training workouts
\nand during competition.<\/p>\n
Agum addressed the athletes in a post-SEA Games gathering
\nwhich marked the dissolution of the 600-plus contingent.<\/p>\n
\"Who wouldn't be proud to have known you patriots,\" he said.
\nHe also mentioned a few of the top athletes at the SEA Games.<\/p>\n
\"You are all full of high spirit and determination. We are
\nproud of you all,\" he told the athletes in a very emotional
\naddress that had most people fighting back tears.<\/p>\n
KONI and its main sponsor Bank Mandiri also announced cash
\nbonuses for the medal winners.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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