Indonesia ready for SEA Games, whatever the rules
JAKARTA (JP): Despite uncertainty on whether host Thailand will eventually apply internationally-accepted rules in the 18th Southeast Asia Games, Indonesia is ready for the games.
"Whether or not Thailand addresses our protests, we are ready to compete in Chiang Mai," Moch. Hindarto, the National Sports Council (KONI)'s training director, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.
The biennial Games will be held in Chiang Mai, a hilly northern part of Thailand, from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17.
Hindarto was referring to KONI's official letter to host Thailand, sent last August, questioning its intention to apply rules which differ from international ones.
One of the different rules is that the rhythmic gymnastics event -- at which Thailand gymnasts excel -- will offer seven gold medals rather than only one as applied internationally.
"So far, Thailand has not answered our letter," said Hindarto. Thailand responded favorably to Singapore's demand that each participating country be given access to only one yacht, as prescribed by the international rules, not two as Thailand wanted in the first instance.
"As far as our requests (to Thailand to respect the international rules) are concerned, that was the only positive answer I have heard so far," Hindarto added, reiterating that even though Thailand is the host, there is no such thing as adjusting international rules to its needs.
War
Such irritating, nerve-racking maneuvers by Thailand are not unfamiliar to Indonesia's tennis queen Yayuk Basuki.
Hence, she has warned that mental preparations are more important than technical preparations for Indonesian athletes to compete at the upcoming 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
"Without belittling the (technical) preparations, I think mental preparations deserve greater attention," said the Women's Tennis Association's 28th rank on Wednesday.
Yayuk said she came to that conclusion after her semifinal match against Thailand's Sakolwan Karcharoen at the 1985 SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand, which was Yayuk's first SEA Games appearance.
"The linesmen made so many one-sided decisions which almost wore out my patience. I ended up being the bronze medalist," Yayuk recalled.
Another nerve-racking test came in the women's doubles when Yayuk, paired with Suzanna Wibowo, had to take on Sakolwan and Tosaporn Summa.
"Suzanna was so furious at the linesmen's usual one-sided decisions that she threw and broke a bottle on the court," added Yayuk, who will play in two singles events and one team event at the Games.
Chiang Mai's cool climate in December, which Indonesian athletes may find cold, is another problem. But KONI has anticipated this. "Some of our track and field athletes have been training in the mountainous area of Lembang, West Java, to acclimatize themselves to Chiang Mai's December climate," Hindarto said. (arf)