PSSI has to bounce back and move onward: Try<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno urged the All-
\nIndonesia Football Association to conduct some introspection if
\nit is to go on its bid for better international achievement.<\/p>\n
In this subtle criticism, Try zeroed in on Indonesia's upset
\ndefeat to Vietnam in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Chiang
\nMai, Thailand in his key note speech at the opening day of the
\nassociation's 31st congress at the Pondok Gede Haj dormitory,
\nEast Jakarta yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Let's take our defeat in SEA Games seriously, although it
\nshould not adversely affect our enthusiasm in developing national
\nsoccer,\" Try said.<\/p>\n
\"Whatever situation we face, we have to bounce back and move
\nonward.\"<\/p>\n
The 0-1 loss to Vietnam, which sent star-studded Indonesia
\npacking from the SEA Games soccer competition, received massive
\ncoverage in local mass media. Some believed that the modest
\noutcome was a result of poor administration under incumbent Azwar
\nAnas.<\/p>\n
Try declined to point the finger of blame at anybody, but
\nasked the congressmen to seek any route to success for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"I call on those who are concerned about the development of
\nnational soccer to roll up their sleeves and work harder. We are
\nfacing tougher challenges in the near future,\" Try said.<\/p>\n
After a series of discussions about the strategy for the next
\nfour years, the two-day congress will wind up with the election
\nof a new chairman.<\/p>\n
A total of 833 people, including all top executives, officials
\nfrom the association's 27 branches throughout the country and
\nobservers, are attending the congress, which was originally
\nslated to be held in Medan, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Try asked the attendants to respect all decisions made through
\ndeliberations during the congress. \"Keep up your wisdom,
\nprofessionalism and sportsmanship. These are all we require to
\nbuild up a strong national team, I think,\" Try said.<\/p>\n
Apology<\/p>\n
In response to mounting criticism over Indonesia's SEA Games
\nagony, reigning president Azwar made a formal apology to the
\ncountry's soccer fans.<\/p>\n
Azwar, who is also the Coordinating Minister for People's
\nWelfare, said in front of Try that he is the only person to be
\nheld responsible for the loss and would account for the defeat
\nduring the congress.<\/p>\n
\"I personally apologize to Mr. Vice President and all
\nIndonesian soccer fans that our team has yet to chalk up any
\nmajor successes,\" Azwar said.<\/p>\n
Despite the tragic outcome at the SEA Games, Azwar's fate
\nremains in the balance as congressmen head for today's election.
\nA number of provincial representatives felt Azwar deserves the
\nsecond four-year term.<\/p>\n
Azwar's strongest contender is Arie Sudewo, Indonesian SEA
\nGames team's leader who announced his retirement following the
\nthumping defeat to host Thailand.<\/p>\n
Head of the East Javanese delegation, Susanto, said that he
\nwould stand behind Azwar because of the impressive initiatives of
\nthe incumbent chairman. \"The revival of national league that
\ninvolves foreign players is his outstanding contribution in
\ndeveloping soccer here,\" Susanto said.<\/p>\n
South Kalimantan and Aceh also lined up to back Azwar. \"We
\nstill need a figure like Mr. Azwar,\" Sulaiman, who represents
\nAceh, said. (amd)<\/p>",
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