Wismoyo ready to accept blame on SEAG failures<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo
\nArismunandar said yesterday he should be held responsible if
\nIndonesia is defeated in the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang
\nMai, Thailand in December.<\/p>\n
"I always urge all national athletes not to do anything but
\nbattle it out during the games," Wismoyo said yesterday during a
\nmeeting with representatives of the Jakarta-based sports
\njournalists association.<\/p>\n
"I don't want our sportsmen and women to worry about losing
\nbecause it is entirely my responsibility," he added.<\/p>\n
Indonesia missed out on the overall championship title for the
\nfirst time since 1977 in the biennial event ten years ago when it
\nfinished second behind host Thailand in Bangkok.<\/p>\n
The Dec. 9 to Dec. 17 games will contest 28 sports, with 334
\ngold medals up for grabs. The host team, inspired by the golden
\ncelebration of King Bhumiphol Aduljade's coronation, has vowed to
\nscoop at least 100 golds, which would hand Indonesia its second
\ndefeat.<\/p>\n
"We are only going to pick those athletes who have a strong
\ndetermination to win," Wismoyo said. "But don't confuse this way
\nof life with our Eastern mores, that emphasize a down-to-earth
\nstance," he added.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo was commenting on a journalist who criticized the
\ncouncil's motto "We have to win", which might inflict major
\npsychological pressure, instead of boosting morale, on the
\nathletes.<\/p>\n
"I don't think like that. In sports we have no choice but to
\nshow that we are the best," Wismoyo argued.<\/p>\n
Whenever Wismoyo, a former Army Chief of Staff, visits the
\nnational athletes being groomed for the games, he psychs them up
\nby telling them they are facing a do-or-die war.<\/p>\n
"Winning a war is not decided during the war itself, but
\nduring the preparations for the war," Wismoyo said, quoting a
\nrenowned adage from Chinese legendary war lord Sun Tzu.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo also complained about the government's lack of concern
\ntowards the ongoing preparations for the games.<\/p>\n
"The government donated Rp 750 million (US$340,900) out of the
\ntotal budget of Rp 18 billion ($8.18 million). Can you believe
\nthat I, a retired officer, have to cover every avenue to make up
\nsuch a big deficit?" he said.<\/p>\n
Financial aid<\/p>\n
The council received a financial aid commitment for national
\nsports development when it invited 50 business tycoons to a
\ndinner in the middle of March.<\/p>\n
In a very short time following this dinner, the businesspeople
\nconverted their pledges into action by collecting nearly Rp 18
\nbillion to help the council finance preparations for the games.<\/p>\n
"That's why a victory is important, to keep their trust,"
\nWismoyo said.<\/p>\n
No less than 600 athletes were called on to join the
\ncentralized training program, which officially started in April.
\nThe council will announce the final team line-up by Nov. 15, the
\ndeadline for sending in the entry form by name, which is set by
\nthe 18th SEA Games organizing committee.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will miss hockey and the newly-introduced rugby
\nduring the games. The council dropped both hockey and rugby from
\nits list, saying that Indonesia has no medal-winning chances at
\nall in these two sports.<\/p>\n
Thailand decided to host the games in Chiang Mai, a tourist
\ndestination, which is the second biggest city after Bangkok.
\nChiang Mai, celebrating its 700th anniversary this year, is the
\nfirst non-capital city used to stage the sporting meet. (amd)<\/p>",
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