Games financial problems 'overcome'

JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said Saturday in Jambi that the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games organizing committee does not face any more financial problems to stage the event or groom athletes.

Wismoyo, also the organizers chairman, said at the opening ceremony of the second Wismoyo Cup international judo championship that the financial problems, as reported by the media, should not be exaggerated because it could disturb athletes' preparations for the SEA Games.

"There's no problem that we can't solve," he said.

Wismoyo urged athletes not to be disturbed by the reports.

"The most important thing is to prepare athletes from each sport as much as possible because they can only win if they practice," he told Antara.

The Games consortium, chaired by President Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo, promised to provide Rp 35 billion (US$13.5 million) by selling stickers.

But the consortium is concentrating on importing sport equipment which must arrive here by the end of this month.

The consortium will provide Rp 4 billion more to groom athletes.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Sepak Takraw Association chairman Beddu Amang was optimistic Indonesia will make a clean sweep of four events at the Games, which will take place from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

The association picked 12 male and 12 female athletes.

Baharuddin Ganiung, Baharuddin B, Hendra Gunafi, Masriyanto, Armon Yones, Arli, Edi Suwarno, Jabiruddin, Rasiwan, Yusri Pakke, Mustakhim and Irwansyah will play on the men's side.

Lada Lisampung, Rice Miarsih, Asnah Syamsibar, Greswati, Natalinda, Yetrin Lagandesa, Hatijah, Siti Hawa Djamalu, Arifah Dewi, Sandrina and Getha will play on the women's side.

Kompas reported that both teams will try out at the first Anniversary Cup sepak takraw championship from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8 at the Kuningan Sports Hall, South Jakarta.

The SEA Games participating countries -- Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam -- are also expected to compete at the championship. (yan)