Indonesia 'must adopt an athlete's spirit'
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie told the nation on Tuesday to use the spirit of sportsmanship as its model of conduct when coping with present challenges.
Speaking before the national contingent for the Bangkok Asian Games, Habibie said the way athletes strived for achievement should encourage the new spirit the nation needs to flourish.
"In this difficult situation, we need more patience, efforts and hard work while maintaining our composure. Clamor, panic and hastiness in dealing with those difficulties will only cause new problems," Habibie said.
Accompanying the athletes during the ceremony at the State Palace were National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, who is also the Army Chief of Staff, and chairman of the Indonesian Judo Association, Abdullah Mahmud Hendroprijono, who is also transmigration minister.
It was Habibie's first meeting with a sports mission since taking office in May.
Habibie said the economic turmoil battering the country since the middle of 1997 should not serve as an excuse to ignore sports development in the country.
"We deserve to thank God because while suffering this adversity we are able to prepare our athletes for the Asian Games."
The President asked national athletes to maintain their spirit despite the fact the government could not provide sufficient funding for them.
"People across the country will watch you fighting on TV, so never disappoint them," Habibie said.
The government has allocated Rp 7.5 billion to finance the year-long training program for the Games. The sports council also received another Rp 5 billion from businesspeople and provinces whose athletes are part of the national squad.
The straitened times was apparent as the national contingent dressed in the same red-and-white suits they wore during the Southeast Asian Games last year.
Indonesia is fielding 129 athletes who will compete in 21 out of 36 medal sports at the Asiad. They are expected to win six gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.
The biggest part of the contingent will depart on Thursday, three days before the opening ceremony.
Indonesia hopes to win its first medal in almost three decades from Ruwiyati in the women's marathon. The long-distance run for both sexes will take place on Sunday morning.
"Ruwiyati has a great chance to win a bronze. She will take on tough opposition from Chinese, South Korean and Japanese runners," Indonesia's chief of the mission Mochamad Hindarto said.
Indonesian last won a bronze medal in track and field at the 1970 Asiad, also in Bangkok, through women's 200-meter runner Carolina Riewpassa.
Secretary of the contingent Muhammad Sarengat added that high temperatures would be an advantage to two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Ruwiyati.
"Ruwiyati won at 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the Bangkok Open this year. She knows the country well," said Sarengat, a former Asian Games men's sprint record holder.
Sports expert Arnold Lisapaly said that Ruwiyati could win a medal thanks to her outstanding self-confidence.
"Even though she is taking part in her first Asiad, she doesn't express any pessimism," he said. (yan)