19th SEA Games close in spectacular fashion
19th SEA Games close in spectacular fashion
JAKARTA (JP): A marvelous fireworks display capped off a
festive closing ceremony to the 19th SEA Games yesterday, as
athletes renewed the spirit of sportsmanship in a week marred by
judging controversies and crowd problems.
Senayan Stadium, although only a third full, was abuzz with a
joyful atmosphere, a sharp contrast to the previous night when
hooligans went on a rampage during the men's soccer final.
The head of yesterday's ceremony, Coordinating Minister for
People's Welfare Azwar Anas, expressed regret after the closing
at Saturday's violence.
"It's unfortunate there was an incident such as last night,"
he sighed to reporters.
The evening began with performances by the Gita Nusantara
Choir, the Armed Forces Music Corps and other marching bands.
Then came a series of colossal ethnic dances, Rampak Gendang
and Pelangi Jawa Timur, involving nearly 1,000 students.
Athletes and officials, grouped alphabetically according to
the 34 events they participated in, then entered. Only about 50
percent of the athletes showed up as attendance was not
compulsory.
In his report, the president of the Games' organizing
committee, Wismoyo Arismunandar, said it had been a quality
event with 79 SEA Games records broken, three junior world
records and one world record.
The Games will be remembered as the biggest sporting event
ever held in the region. It featured 4,500 athletes who went home
with 448 gold medals at stake in a record 34 sports.
Host Indonesia stood proudly atop the standings with a record
haul of 194 golds, 101 silvers and 115 bronzes, or 44 percent of
the total number of gold medals on offer.
It won at least one bronze in every sport and produced a
perfect sweep in canoeing, winning all 12 golds offered.
Defending overall champion Thailand deserves a thumbs-ups for
maintaining its supremacy in swimming pool. It splashed its way
to 17 of the 39 golds at stake.
Indonesian male gymnast Jonathan Sianturi topped the list of
individual gold winners with six, followed by compatriot female
cyclist Nurhayati Thailand and Thai female swimmer Ravee Intporn-
Udom, who both bagged five.
One world record was broken. Thai female lifter Kassaraporn
Suta snatched 125 kgs in the 59kg division to beat the old mark
by half a kilogram.
Indonesian lifter Sri Indriyani almost equaled this superb
feat with three junior world records in the 46kg category.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Hayono Isman said
Indriyani would be rewarded with two houses.
"We are proud to become the first SEA Games host ever to grant
houses to record breakers, although bonuses will not go to non-
Indonesian athletes this time," he said.
Gelora Senayan Management Board director Yasidi Hambali said
last night he was counting the cost of Saturday's violence.
"We will repair all the broken facilities, including street
lamps, ornamental flower pots, windows and wooden seats soon," he
said, adding that he would discuss the damages with the Games
consortium.
"I just want to call on supporters to look after our own
national assets. Let's control our emotions and not destroy our
belongings," he said.
As Azwar formally closed the games, 5,000 yellow, black and
white ballons were released from the giant soccer ball,
representing the colors of Brunei, host of the XX SEA Games in
1999.
After the Games' fire flickered and died, the Games flag was
lowered and taken by Nurfitriana, Indonesia's Olympic archery
silver medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games, to Wismoyo who then
presented it to the head of the Brunei Olympic Games Committee,
Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.
The festive atmosphere stepped up a gear as the fireworks
display burst into life and the singers took over the stage.
(team)