Habibie urges SEA Games squad to do its best
Habibie urges SEA Games squad to do its best
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie encouraged national
athletes to compete to the best of their abilities at the 20th
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month.
"Fight with self-confidence, but don't be arrogant," he said
in a speech to athletes in the State Palace garden on Thursday.
The athlete's contingent -- comprising 350 athletes, 162
coaches and 45 officials -- will cover 20 sports in the biennial
event to be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
Habibie said although Indonesia was still experiencing the
effects of the economic crisis, all the athletes were expected to
show the world Indonesia had a reputation as fighters who would
never give up.
"Good teamwork is something all contingent members must take
on as a reflection of our nation's unity which is always mindful
of any threats.
"You must all be sportsmanlike and accept winning and losing
at the Games in a friendly mood. You have to be fair in the
competition, and don't cheat because it will relay a bad image of
our country."
Indonesia, which faces a tough challenge from archrival
Thailand, has set a target of 70 golds out of the 235 golds at
stake.
The projected tally is way below Indonesia's stunning home
victory two years ago, when the contingent grabbed 194 golds.
Thailand trailed in second place with 83 golds.
During the ceremony, National Sports Council (KONI) chairman
Wismoyo Arismunandar was optimistic national athletes could
retain Indonesia's supremacy in the region by becoming the
overall champion.
Wismoyo accompanied the athletes, along with State Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono, chef de mission Mochammad
Hindarto and executive training director Imron Z.S.
The contingent wore their red-and-white uniforms during the
ceremony. The atmosphere at the event was relaxed, with the
athletes seated only a few meters away from the President.
Several ministers, some of them chairmen of various sports
organizations, also attended the ceremony.
Representatives from five sports -- shooting, table tennis,
diving and water polo and hockey -- were unable to attend the
ceremony, due to overseas training commitments.
Imron Z.S. said later on Thursday that Habibie had also
expressed a wish the SEA Games contingent would regain the
overall title.
"He spoke the same language as Pak Wismoyo by encouraging
athletes to do their best for the country. I think the President
is getting closer to the sports community," he said.
Imron said the relaxed atmosphere during the visit was
unexpected.
"I felt a friendliness between the President and the athletes.
In the past, we met the President inside the palace and we had to
sit down or stand up according to the protocol when the president
delivered his speech."
Imron expressed hope that Habibie would be able to attend a
dinner party for the contingent at the Senayan indoor tennis
stadium on July 31.
KONI deputy of media and promotion Ahmed Solichin said the
dinner would also be attended by famous artists, whose presence
was expected to boost athletes' spirits.
"We hope the President can join us at the dinner and pray
together with the athletes at its conclusion," Imron said.
(ivy/prb)