RI contingent dismayed by Thai domination<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo
\nArismunandar said in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Sunday evening that
\nthe Indonesian contingent to the Southeast Asian Games was very
\ndismayed about Thailand's domination of the regional sporting
\nevent.<\/p>\n
At that time, host Thailand had already bagged 16 gold medals,
\neight silvers and seven bronzes.<\/p>\n
Ishadi S.K., the Indonesian contingent's spokesman, delivered
\nArismunandar's statement. He said that the scare had resulted
\nfrom Indonesia's athletes' failure to collect 10 gold medals by
\nthat stage, as had been anticipated. Instead, Indonesia had
\nmanaged to earn only four gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals
\nin the 31 sports finals held on the first day of the Games.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the Games' organizing committee scheduled
\ncompetitions in certain sports, in which Thailand is strong, for
\nthe first day of the regional sports meet. Assuming the report to
\nbe correct, the committee's efforts bore fruit, with most of the
\ncontingents from 10 nations surprised by Thailand's medal spree.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Arie Soedewo, Indonesia's chef de mission, said the
\ncommittee had engaged in some \"unusual practices\" in several
\nsports, including cycling, diving, equestrian and weightlifting.<\/p>\n
One of the incidents saw Indonesian cyclist Nurhayati shadowed
\nby a Thai official during a race. Arie said that Indonesia had
\nprotested, providing the committee with videotape and photo
\nevidence of the alleged irregularity.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, in three other sports Indonesia could not
\nprotest because it lacked material evidence of questionable
\npractices alleged.<\/p>\n
In lodging protests, officials and managers have to provide
\nmaterial evidence, such as videotapes and photos. Any protest
\nshould be submitted no later than 15 days after an event.<\/p>\n
Arie said officials should respect the decisions of the
\ncommittee on protests, irrespective of what these are, in order
\nto maintain an atmosphere of sportsmanship at the ongoing Games.<\/p>\n
Responding to reports that the committee had been less than
\nfair in some instances, Wismoyo asked the 200 Indonesian
\nreporters present in Chiang Mai to take care not to undermine
\ntheir compatriots' performance through demoralizing reports.<\/p>\n
He said that reporters should interview athletes, rather than
\nofficials or managers, in case of irregularities in the conduct
\nof any event. (05)<\/p>",
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