Indonesia 'must adopt an athlete's spirit'
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)