Wismoyo defends Asian Games policy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council Chairman Wismoyo
\nArismunandar has defended his special policy to allow the
\nnational soccer and equestrian teams to compete in the 13th Asian
\nGames in December.<\/p>\n
Speaking in an impromptu media conference at his office
\nyesterday, Wismoyo said his nod was a well-deserved reward for
\nthe teams' efforts to improve themselves, and not because of
\ntheir financial independence alone.<\/p>\n
\"I have considered the matter thoroughly. I will take
\nresponsibility for their performances in the games,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The decision sparked controversy because it was taken one week
\nbefore the council was scheduled to announce what events
\nIndonesia would enter in the Asiad and because the council has
\nvowed to apply strict standards when selecting athletes for the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
Both the All Indonesia Soccer Federation and the Indonesian
\nEquestrian Society plan to cover their teams' expenses if they
\nare allowed to go to games in Bangkok.<\/p>\n
But that was not the reason they were selected, according to
\nWismoyo, a former Army chief of staff.<\/p>\n
\"Soccer is the most popular sport in the country. I will be
\nneglecting my duty if I don't give our soccer team a shot. In any
\ncase it managed to reach the final in the last Southeast Asian
\nGames,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"If they reach the Tiger Cup final (in Vietnam later this
\nmonth) but lose by a small margin, I will support their bid to
\ncompete in the Asian Games. But if they crash out in the early
\nround, then they'd better forget it.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia, seeking its first international honor since 1989,
\nlost to Thailand on penalties in the SEA Games final here last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The team will make another attempt at the Tiger Cup in
\nVietnam. The cup was switched to Vietnam at the last minute after
\nIndonesia was banned from hosting international matches for six
\nmonths by the Asian Football Confederation following riots during
\nthe SEA Games last year.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said the equestrian team would waste a lot of money if
\nthey were prevented from taking part in the Asiad.<\/p>\n
\"They will spend a lot of money competing in the Southeast
\nAsian league of the Volvo World Cup. The final leg of the league
\nwill be held at the Asiad venue in Bangkok, so I don't think it's
\nwrong to encourage their bid,\" said Wismoyo.<\/p>\n
\"They do have a chance to win medals and they will only
\nsquander the opportunities and money if they don't travel to the
\ngames.\"<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said he would not exempt any sports organizations
\nother than the soccer and equestrian bodies from the standard
\nselection procedures.<\/p>\n
\"Many organizations like sepak takraw (a traditional ball
\ngame) and volleyball haven't shown a strong determination to
\ncompete in the Asiad,\" he said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wismoyo-defends-asian-games-policy-1447893297",
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