Agum says sorry for poor SEA Games showing Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Manila
With Indonesia set for its worst ever showing at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the National Sports Council (KONI) apologized on Sunday and promised a thorough evaluation of what went wrong.
"The result has been discouraging for us, and as KONI chief I apologize to the government, sports community and public. We have fallen short of our expectations," KONI chairman Agum Gumelar told Indonesian reporters at the contingent's headquarters in Makati, Manila.
Indonesia lies in fifth place, a huge comedown for the nine- time overall winner which has never finished out of the top three in the medal standings.
"I can't answer 'why?'," Agum said when asked to explain the poor performance. "I promise a thorough evaluation of the athletes' poor showing when we are back in Jakarta."
Agum cautioned against pointing fingers at those considered responsible for the failure, including chef de mission Djoko Pramono, who is also KONI's deputy chairman.
"If there is anybody who should take the blame, it's me. It not Pak Djoko's nor the athletes' (fault)."
Ironically, Indonesia enjoyed its best day since the Games started last Sunday, collecting 11 gold to bring its total to 49. It remained in fifth place, behind the Philippines -- now certain to win its first ever overall title when the Games end on Monday -- Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
A highlight was the unexpected gold of M. Hussein in table tennis, breaking the country's four-year gold drought in the sport by upsetting Richard Gonzales in the men's singles at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Surabaya's Samai also contributed gold in a hard-fought race in the criterium at the Rizal Memorial Park. An overjoyed Agum, who was watching with other members of the national contingent, climbed onto the podium to hug the cyclist before the playing of the national anthem, Antara news service reported.
Sarce Aronggear completed a double victory as the canoeing team enjoyed a medal haul of four gold and three silver in Olongapo City.
Sarce won the women's singles 500-meter kayak before teaming up with Rasima to take the doubles' 500-meter event. Silo and Laode Hadi took the 500-meter kayak while Asnawair and Roinadi triumphed in the 500-meter canoeing.
Pencak silat contributed another two gold from Cebu, courtesy of Rony Saifullah in the men's 80 kilograms and Haris Nugroho in the 70 kilograms.
Also in Cebu City, Ira Purnamasari defended her crown in the women's 78 kilograms division to help the national team reach its target of three gold.
With Indonesian assured the gold in men's beach volleyball, the battle in the sand was more about who would have the right to call themselves the best in the nation.
National number two pairing Andy Ardiansyah and Supriadi, as they did three times during the Indonesian Open series earlier this year, overcame higher ranked Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo 17-21, 21-16, 15-12.
Tennis added a gold and a silver, with Wynne Prakusya featuring in both doubles finals.
Wynne and Romana Tedjakusuma defeated compatriots Septi Mende and Ayu Fani Damayanti in the women's doubles, making Wynne the fourth Indonesian tennis player to win three golds at a singles SEA Games. She had a chance to make history in the mixed doubles with partner Suwandi, but they were beat in three sets by Eric Taino and Riza Zalameda of the Philippines.
Indonesia's last chance to reach 50 medals will come in the men's volleyball final again Thailand in Bacolod City. The country is also represented in chess' two remaining events, but is unlikely to win.
The Games closing ceremony is scheduled to start at Quirino Grandstand at 6 p.m.