Pride on the line for host Indonesia<\/p>\n
As part of the our coverage of the SEA Games, The Jakarta
\nPost is running a profile of each of the 10 participating
\ncountries. The story below is the tenth in the series.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It is almost a foregone conclusion that
\nIndonesia will emerge the overall medal champion when the SEA
\nGames closes next Sunday.<\/p>\n
But rewriting the record books is another question.<\/p>\n
After suffering a humbling loss to host Thailand in the
\noverall medal standings in the 1995 Games in Chiang Mai,
\nIndonesia quickly regrouped and set its sights on victory in this
\nyear's Southeast Asian sports extravaganza.<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen whether the year-long rigorous training
\nregimen, which cost the National Sports Council millions of
\ndollars, has been sufficient preparation for athletes' to grab
\nvictory and sweep away the agony of Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the council Wismoyo Arismunandar repeatedly told
\nathletes during their training sessions that they were on a
\nmission "to restore national pride which was hurt in Chiang Mai".<\/p>\n
He added: "You represent a big country. We have to make amends
\nfor our loss."<\/p>\n
The Chiang Mai defeat was also a setback for Wismoyo in his
\nfirst international outing as head of the council.<\/p>\n
The region's longtime sporting powerhouse, Indonesia left
\nChiang Mai red-faced with 77 gold medals, 67 silvers and 77
\nbronzes, a distant second to Thailand's 157 golds, 98 silvers and
\n98 silvers.<\/p>\n
Indonesia had also lost to Thailand in the 1985 Games in
\nBangkok.<\/p>\n
With its pride on the line, the confident hosts have targeted
\n150 golds this time out.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto tried to defuse the fever-pitch of
\ncompetition by stating the focus should be on using the Games as
\na stepping stone to achievements in more prestigious
\ninternational events.<\/p>\n
Soeharto told the Indonesian squad to concentrate on record-
\nbreaking efforts instead of regional supremacy. He said the Games
\nshould be used to foster better ties among participating
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
"If the rivalry for the overall champion goes on, I'm afraid
\nthe competition will be reduced to a two-horse race between
\nIndonesia and Thailand," he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the President's directive, Indonesia will make full
\nuse of its home advantage to strive to end atop the medal
\nstandings.<\/p>\n
With by far largest team of 831, it is poised to shine in
\nbadminton, rowing, traditional boat races, pencak silat martial
\nart, wrestling, weightlifting, karate, tae kwon do and cycling.<\/p>\n
But its chances are slimmer in the major international sports
\nof track and field, swimming and gymnastics, which offer almost
\n100 golds.<\/p>\n
It does not expect to take more than the seven of 44 golds at
\nstake in track and field, the same number it achieved two years
\nago.<\/p>\n
Thailand and Malaysia are favorites in athletics.<\/p>\n
Aquatic<\/p>\n
Indonesia will likely be left in the wake of Thailand and
\nSingapore in the swimming pool. But national coach Lukman Niode
\nwas confident his squad would double the four golds it won in
\nswimming and diving in Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n
Thailand will be the team to watch in gymnastics, based on the
\n20 golds they bagged two years ago. Indonesia, banking on a team
\nof veterans, has realistic chances for six of the 16 golds.<\/p>\n
The host and Malaysia are expected to renew their perennial
\nrivalry in badminton, the only sport featuring the world's top
\nstars.<\/p>\n
Indonesians Joko Suprianto and Hariyanto Arbi, both former
\nworld champions, will have their work cut out for them against
\nyoung Malaysians Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin.<\/p>\n
The women's event is expected to be dominated by Olympic
\nmedalists Susi Susanti and Mia Audina, in what may be a changing
\nof the guard for the Indonesian players.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will also be seeking a clean sweep of the badminton
\nmedals, which it last achieved in 1987. A Malaysian men's doubles
\npairing quashed its hopes of making it seven out of seven at the
\nlast Games. (amd)<\/p>",
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