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)