Agum says sorry for poor SEA Games showing

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.