Hamzah hopes Indonesia team will finish second

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)