Fund constraints, training blamed for SEA Games fiasco
JAKARTA (JP): Financial problems, lack of tryouts and short training periods were blamed as the main factors for Indonesia's disappointing show at the just-concluded 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at a National Sports Council (KONI) evaluation meeting attended by sports officials and athletes.
Sports expert Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar told reporters during the break in the meeting that the three-month training session prior to the Games was held by KONI to improve the skill and condition of athletes.
"But each sports organization should have prepared them long before the athletes were called to join the centralized training program. We have problems establishing a conducive situation for a continuous training program in any sport due to the problems in the country," he said.
"If we compare our athletes' performances two weeks ago with athletes from Thailand and Malaysia, I believe the sports community in the country must work harder to be able to challenge our rivals."
"Ideally, each sports organization must have a permanent budget to stage the continuous and integrated athlete development programs."
Chef de mission for the SEA Games Mochammad Hindarto called on each sports organization to reveal their problems.
"KONI has set up a special task force, chaired by Indra Djati Sidi, which will study and solve all problems occurring during the Games preparation. The task force will also work on the solution to those problems."
The Indonesian Taekwondo Association's (TI) secretary-general, Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid, expressed disappointment with the evaluation, saying it was ineffective.
"I think it's better if KONI can call on each sports organization for a more intensive and effective discussion on the problems. This evaluation, I think, will not meet our target to improve the athlete development programs."
"Athletes also requested a long-term training program. They didn't approve of the current training programs where athletes were returned to their own clubs and would be called back when there was an event."
Potential
Veteran swimmer Richard Sam Bera shared the same idea.
"We, athletes, must have continuous long-term training programs. If we only have short-term training, our condition will never reach maximum potential.
"If we are talking about the Asian Games, specially in swimming, it won't be enough to have a training program for only six weeks. It needs more time. For the 2001 SEA Games, each sports organizations must prepare their athletes starting today," said Richard, who made a sweet comeback by sharpening the Games record in the 100 meter freestyle two weeks ago.
The 27-year-old swimmer said that during the off season, athletes after returning home usually have a lot of free time.
"When they are in that period, their physical condition will drop. It's the main barrier for them to make better achievements," he said.
Richard, who won three golds in the 1999 Games, said Indonesia had the same quality coaches as the United States.
"The different things are facilities and competitions. In Senayan, the swimming pool doesn't meet the international standard. It was built in the 1960s, and you can see the light switch is still in Russian letters," said the graduate of the Arizona State University with a laugh. "Another barrier is lack of domestic competition."
Separately, karateka Abdullah Kadir and pencak silat fighter Abbas Akbar expressed objections to KONI's plan to give insurance bonuses for the Games medalists.
Kadir, Indonesia's first gold medalist, said: "I understand that the insurance is for our future. But in the meantime, before we receive the claim, we have nothing."
Abbas, a gold medalist in the wiralaga (fighting) event, said: "Some athletes need cash to continue their lives. For example, my fellow paddlers, who mostly are fishermen. Maybe they need cash to buy their own boats. I think it's better if KONI can provide jobs for senior athletes." (yan)