Outstanding athletes to receive top honors<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A thanksgiving ceremony will be the highlight of
\nthe 12th National Sports Day celebrations on Sept. 9, with the
\ngovernment to award special medals to Indonesia's 32 leading
\nsportsmen and women.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the committee organizing the celebrations, Imam
\nSuyudi, said on Monday that President Soeharto will present the
\nmedals at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 9, 1948, Indonesia, as a very young nation, held its
\nfirst National Games in Surakarta. Since 1989, Sept. 9 has been
\ncelebrated as National Sports Day.<\/p>\n
At the medal presentation ceremony, the government will also
\nshow its appreciation to 38 prime movers in Indonesian sports, as
\nwell as 10 coaches and 12 referees.<\/p>\n
Imam declined to disclose the names of the best athletes. \"We
\nshortlisted only those whose commendable showings included, at
\nleast, victories at the Southeast Asian Games,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Saturday's medal presentation will follow a series of medal
\npresentations by the government to distinguished citizens of the
\nrepublic, as one of the activities being carried out to mark
\nIndonesia's 50th anniversary of independence.<\/p>\n
The National Sports Council (KONI) had originally selected 40
\nsportsmen and women to receive the laurels. Indonesia's first
\nOlympic gold medalists, Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma; the
\nwomen's archery trio of Nurfitriyana, Hamdiah and Dahliana; and
\nnumber one chess player Grand Master Utut Adianto were among the
\nnominees.<\/p>\n
\"The medals presentation is aimed at highlighting the need for
\nhigher achievement among the athletes,\" said Imam.<\/p>\n
KONI, under its new chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, set up a
\nspecial body to prepare awards for outstanding athletes. The
\nnational sports governing body has also pledged to honor the
\ncountry's best athletes more than it has in the past.<\/p>\n
\"Triumphant athletes, like victorious soldiers, deserve a
\njovial reception when come home from battle,\" Wismoyo, a former
\nNational Army Commander, said.<\/p>\n
The committee will also hold a massive parade around the
\nNational Museum on Sunday, which is expected to involve 38,000
\npeople. A number of national sportsmen and women will join the
\nhuge procession, to be led by Coordinating Minister for Public's
\nWelfare Azwar Anas. (amd)<\/p>",
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