Australia suggests Indonesia stress sports

Australia suggests Indonesia stress sports

JAKARTA (JP): Australian Ambassador for Indonesia John
McCarthy suggested the Indonesian government decide on procedures
for empowering its human resources focused on sports development
to be able to reach higher levels of international achievement.

"Right now Indonesia has to put more resources in economic
development due to recent situations. But the country will
improve its level of competition and will win medals in the
Sydney Olympics," McCarthy said Monday evening when serving
dinner for the Indonesian Olympic contingent.

"Indonesia is very strong in badminton. But the country also
has good boxers, weightlifters and wrestlers and most sports that
Southeast Asian countries tend to be good at."

Indonesia is aiming to continue its recent gold medal success
-- winning gold medals in each Olympics competition since 1992
when badminton was first introduced.

With 19 shuttlers in the 47-member squad, Indonesia hopes to
win two golds from the men's singles and doubles. It also expects
to win medals in women's weightlifting, women's taekwondo and
men's windsurfing.

McCarthy said he had not observed any impact from the closing
of the state minister of youth affairs and sports office, adding
that Australia also did not have a dedicated sports ministry.

"In Australia, we have the ministry of tourism, sports,
recreation and arts. It's the federal government and sports
organizations that finance the development of sports in each
state."

McCarthy emphasized that sports development must start at
grass roots level.

"But sports development at grass roots level will take lots of
money, human resources and time. It may take longer in developing
countries."

"It is much easier for countries that have big incomes like
the United States or Germany as they dedicate significant
resources for sports development. China also focuses its
resources on sports development."

"Some sports are taught in schools and the neighborhoods
usually have sports organizations. For example, in Australia
soccer is taught at schools but there are also many clubs in the
neighborhoods for kids until they are 18 years old. Certain
people with high skills will be chosen for higher level
competition."

McCarthy recalled when Australia had its worst achievement in
the Olympics 16 years ago.

"We did very badly for a country with a medal tradition in the
Olympics. That's when we decided to set up the Australian
Institute for Sports."

Speaking on the role of Olympics to strengthen relationships
among participating countries, McCarthy said he did not want to
exaggerate but sports are very important in developing
friendships.

"I think sports can preserve the tradition of relationships
among countries. Political issues should not affect sports as
they have in the past," he said, referring to the boycott
conducted by the United States of America and its allies
including Australia at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. (yan)