Friendship is the Arafura Games' motto

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)