Indonesia ready for SEA Games, whatever the rules

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)