Former team leader vows not to call it a 'failure'

Former team leader vows not to call it a 'failure'

JAKARTA (JP): An evaluation of Indonesia's performance at the
recently concluded SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur was conducted on
Wednesday, with former chief-de-mission Putera Astaman disputing
calls that the showing was "a failure".

Collecting 71 gold medals, Indonesia ended up in third place
in Kuala Lumpur, the second time the country has rounded off its
biennial sports meet performance in a mediocre position since
Brunei Darussalam in 1999.

Malaysia finished first with 111 gold medals followed by
Thailand with 104 gold medals.

Although the goals among the officials of the National Sports
Council (KONI) were high prior to departure, they did not
disclose to the public how many golds they expected to win.

This "restraint" proved to go down well when they were
required to account for their duties.

When asked for his stance on whether or not Indonesia's SEA
Games campaign had failed, Putera said: "The evaluation can be
seen from many different aspects.

"That's why did we fancy making targets beforehand. We pushed
ourselves to win as many medals as possible," Putera said at KONI
headquarters here on Wednesday.

It was unclear about his assessment over the contingent's
showing when he was asked in his capacity as a former leader.

Instead he said:"Talking about disappointment,
dissatisfaction, I'm absolutely the first man to be disappointed
and dissatisfied with the results. Not you," he said in a raised
voice.

Putera also rejected ideas that the Kuala Lumpur performance
signified a decline in Indonesian sports development in general.

"It depends on how you look at it. From Brunei, it's not. If
it is considered like that, Indonesia is not the lone participant
undergoing a decline in the collection of gold medals," he said.

"Thailand came in second after finishing on top in Brunei.
Singapore also underwent relegation. So was Brunei," he added.

Putera Astaman put Indonesia's inability to match Malaysia and
Thailand down to a lack of focus on three main sports, which
traditionally offer abundant golds. Those three sports are
athletics, shooting and aquatic events.

Indonesia grabbed eight gold medals from the three events
compared to Thailand's 47 and Malaysia's 22. There were 125 gold
medals on offer in the three sports.

Apart from the main three, attention will also be given to
other sports with good medal prospects for sports development in
the next stage.

"The sports falling into this category include rowing,
cycling, karate and judo," he said.

KONI also sees the need to look for a continuation of funds to
ease Indonesia's financial problems in funding sports
development, especially when it comes to preparing a contingent
for a multievent showcase, such as the SEA Games and Asian Games.

The idea was echoed by Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, when he paid a brief visit to the
Indonesian contingent in Kuala Lumpur.

"I expect the government will provide KONI with ongoing funds
as soon as possible so we will not have any more financial
problems in preparing our national team," said Putera.

He did not explain, however, what other financial sources
would feed the fund saying: "It is not my duty to seek funds."

On the Pusan 2002 Asian Games to be held in Pusan, South
Korea, KONI will adopt a one-on-one policy, in which only
athletes having the best prospects of winning medals will
proceed.

KONI has submitted a proposal of Rp 27.8 billion (US$2.9
million) to the government for Asiad preparation.

"KONI will concentrate on sports that have a real chance on
grabbing gold medals. We got six gold medals in the Bangkok 1998
Asiad. Winning 10 gold medals would boost our standing," said
Putera.

"Attention will be more intensive with a lot of tryouts to
improve our athletes' skills," he added. (01/nvn)