Hamzah hopes Indonesia team will finish second
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Hamzah Haz called on all Indonesian athletes on Wednesday to fight to the finish at the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, but did not expect them to return to the top of the medals tally.
"You are carrying out a herculean task as the country's representatives because you must achieve the best results, while at the same time maintain sportsmanship," he told the athletes during his visit to the Madya Stadium in the Bung Karno sports complex here.
The Vice President said he would be happy to see Indonesia move up to second place in the medals standing this year, after finishing third in the 1999 event in Brunei Darussalam.
"I hope you can maintain the past results but it would be better if you could improve the outcome by finishing second," he said.
During the visit, Hamzah was accompanied by chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar and other sports officials.
Indonesia finished third in the 1999 games with 44 gold medals, 43 silvers and 58 bronzes, behind Thailand, which topped the standings on 65 gold medals ahead of Malaysia on 53 golds. It was the worst finish for Indonesia which had dominated the regional event since 1977, with Thailand twice pulling a spoiler as host in 1985 and 1995.
This year Indonesia aims to grab more than 100 gold medals from 29 sports in a bid to secure second place. Indonesia will not participate in lawn bowls, netball or petanque.
Hamzah also expressed his confidence that in general, sport could further unite the nation if it were fostered from early childhood.
"I believe nobody would be willing to secede from the country if we promoted sport among children from the elementary school stage. In this sense, athletes bear responsibilities that are no lighter than those of the president or vice president," he said.
Hamzah took a chance to watch several athletes, including woman hammer thrower Yurita Ariani and pole vaulters Nunung Jayadi and Ni Putu Desi Margawati, who demonstrated the results of their training.
Indonesian pesilat and karateka exponents also performed their routines in the martial arts of wira seni and kumite.
Hamzah then symbolically handed two red-and-white headbands to men's shuttler Hendrawan and women's karateka Meity Kasseger who both hold world championship titles.
Split confidence
Meanwhile, those members of the House of Representatives (DPR) having sports as their portfolio were unable to agree on whether or not Indonesia would be able to secure second place.
A legislator doubted that Indonesia would fulfill its intention, given the low-key preparation of the contingent in the leadup to the event.
"It would be a pretty good achievement to win 80 gold medals. But I doubt it. I estimate Indonesia will only achieve as many as 70 to 75 gold medals," said Ferdiansyah from Commission VI on religious and human resources affairs as well as a member of a team drafting the sports bill.
Ferdiansyah, from the Golkar Party faction, said the contingent would be struggling in its campaign, given the unfortunate political and financial situation at home, which had subsequently affected the athletes' preparations.
However, another legislator representing the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Ismangoen, expressed optimism that Indonesia would make amends this time around.
"If it is only to go after the number two position, the odds are realistic enough for Indonesia," Ismangoen, a former official of Semarang-based PSIS soccer club, told The Jakarta Post.
"The lack in financial support must have been discouraging, but it does not affect the athletes' preparation," he said.
He also said that Indonesia was hungry for revenge after a poor outcome in Brunei.
"I believe that the athletes are nurturing a high fighting spirit to bounce back from their dismal run in Brunei, and that has already contributed to 60 percent of their strength," he said. (01/nvn)