Brunei prepared to host 20th SEA Games in 1999

JAKARTA (JP): An official of Brunei's sport council yesterday confirmed that his country was willing to host the 20th SEA Games in 1999.

Thalib Haji Berudin of Majelis Olimpiade Kebangsaan Brunei said the government of Brunei had decided to take the helm of the next SEA Games.

The SEA Games Federation earlier told all participating countries to decide among themselves who the host of the 20th SEA Games would be before the opening of this year's biennial event.

The 19th SEA Games will be held in Jakarta from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

Brunei finally took the decision after no other countries offered to stage the next Games in 1999.

"The organization of the 1999 Games events will be centralized in Bandar Seri Begawan," said Thalib after meeting with the National Sports Council vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, yesterday.

Given its small population of only 300,000, he said Brunei would seek technical assistance in organizing the event from other SEA Games participating countries.

He said that Brunei would try to finish its main stadium in Bandar Sri Begawan by the end of this year.

"Brunei is planning to stage between 16 and 20 events for the 20th SEA Games," he said.

The SEA Games rules stipulate that at least 16 events should be staged.

Responding to Thalib's call, Arie said Indonesian officials would share with Brunei their experience in organizing regional sporting events.

"Indonesia hails Brunei's decision to be the host of the coming SEA Games as normally there is a transfer of the SEA Games flag at the closing ceremony of the sporting event," he said.

On Indonesia's SEA Games preparation, he said: "the organizing committee hopefully will get enough funds to train athletes and pay local and foreign officials".

He told reporters that all venues were expected to be ready before October.

For the organization of soccer events, he said, the committee had decided to use a stadium in Bogor, West Java.

"The stadium has been refurbished for the soccer events," he said.

Soccer events will start on Oct. 6.

The council's chairman, Wismoyo, earlier said soccer matches meant a lot to locals and so Indonesia's soccer team should do their best.

Indonesia footballers and other athletes should strive to reclaim the overall title, which was taken away by Thailand in 1995.

The country finished second overall in the Games in Thailand in 1995 with 77 golds, 67 silvers and 77 bronzes.

The council has predicted Indonesia will win nearly 150 golds at this year's event.

Indonesia is grooming 822 athletes -- although it originally planned on 810 -- 166 local coaches and 30 foreign. (03)