Friendship is the Arafura Games' motto
DARWIN, Australia (JP): The Arafura Games' participants have agreed to maintain the biennial event's unique characteristic, which is that it is based on friendship.
Indonesia's chef de mission Indra Djati Sidi said after the heads of delegation meeting at Parliament House, which was chaired yesterday by Northern Territory Minister for Sport and Recreation Steve Hatton, that a unique feature of the event was that a country could send more than one squad.
"We know that Australia and Malaysia are both sending more than one team. I told them that it's OK because we aim to build friendship through sport, instead of being rivals," he said.
Australia is sending 12 teams -- eight teams from its six states, and the Australian Capitol Territory, Australian Country, Australian Defense Forces and the Northern Territory Country.
Malaysia's teams are Malaysia Country, Kuala Lumpur, Johore, Penang and Sabah.
"We saw yesterday that an athlete from Hainan, China, produced a new discuss record. I also told them that if Indonesia only sends Kudus, Central Java, or Jakarta in badminton means all international shuttlers will play," Indra said.
"We have the SEA Games, the Asian Games and the Olympics. We want to keep the Arafura Games as a medium to strengthen relationships among participants," he said.
Indra denied this could cause Indonesia to neglect achievements at the event.
"All countries will improve. Maybe we don't realize it, but each team -- national, provincial or group -- will raise their future standards," he said.
Sports festival
The Arafura Games, widely known as the Arafura Sports Festival, were set up in 1991 by the Northern Territory and Indonesian governments to provide top level competition for developing athletes from the Asia-Pacific.
It began with only 2,300 athletes and officials but this year there will be more than 5,000 representatives.
Cambodia, China, Niue Island, the Solomon Islands, Vietnam, South Africa and India received warm welcomes in their first appearance at the games.
Indra said organizers were considering holding the event during school holidays because many competitors were students.
"I think June or July is the perfect time because our athletes and athletes from other countries are usually students. If the event is staged during holidays, it won't disrupt their study," he said.
Indra said Indonesia's second or third string squad must learn from the event.
"It's invaluable experience to compete in an international event. It's also to boost their mental composure and teach them not to be nervous about their opponents," he said.
"It's a good warming up for the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta in October," he said.
Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam are preparing their athletes for the SEA Games, while Thailand is sending its third squad, which is being prepared for the 1998 Asian Games. (yan)