Indonesian team leaves for Bangkok

Indonesian team leaves for Bangkok

JAKARTA (JP): Most of the country's team for the Asian Games
left on Thursday for Bangkok in an emotion-filled departure with
their families.

Led by chef de mission Mochamad Hindarto, the contingent
departed from the Halim Perdanakusumah air base on an Air Force
Boeing 707. The military aircraft, piloted by commander of the
17th Squadron Lt. Col. Yadi Husiadi, took off at around 11:20
a.m.

The 130 people on board comprised 66 athletes, 23 coaches and
41 officials.

Eleven of their teammates, who will compete in judo,
equestrian, swimming and yachting, traveled to Bangkok last
Saturday.

Badminton and sepak takraw players, karate athletes, rowers
and shooters will fly to Bangkok in three separate groups on
Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Indonesia is fielding 128 athletes who will be gunning for
medals in 21 out of 36 sports contested in the last games of the
century.

This year's Asiad, the 13th since 1950 and the fourth hosted
by Thailand, will run from Dec. 6 through Dec. 20.

Indonesia dropped a boxer at the last minute due to a school
commitment. Chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing
Association, Sang Nyoman Suwisma, ordered lightweight Wilpare
Jamhur to stay because he has to complete his study at the Army
school of noncommissioned officers.

"He could not concentrate during training and it would take
him three weeks to make up for his poor showing. His coach told
me he had no prospects at all based on his present form," Suwisma
said upon seeing off the boxing team on Thursday.

Wilpare entered the school just two weeks ago. The school
exempted him from full attendance while he was training.

"He lacks responsibility and self-motivation to train. I know
he is already exhausted with military training, but he must not
ignore his preparation for the Games," a disappointed Suwisma
said.

Wilpare would not be given another chance to join the school
if he failed his exams, Suwisma added.

Hindarto said it was impossible to pick a substitute for
Wilpare because entry registration was closed.

Emotional

Athletes mingled with their families and relatives before
National Sports Council chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar,
officially sent them off.

Female weightlifter Supeni lullabied her 18-month-old
daughter. She walked about while her baby slept in her arms.

In another section of the departure lounge, gymnast Jonathan
Mangiring Sianturi chatted with his mother and girlfriend.

Stand-in spiker Benny Martarius talked with his girlfriend
through his mobile phone.

Anxiety also marked the day when women's tennis team backbones
Yayuk Basuki and Irawati Moerid Iskandar failed to turn up on
time.

A restless tennis team manager, Benny Mailili, booked tickets
on commercial flight for the two unpunctual players. Minutes
later Yayuk and Irawati arrived, much to Benny's relief.

Wismoyo, accompanied by the operational assistant to the Air
Force Chief of Staff, Rear Marshall Irawan Saleh, tried to
puncture the emotional farewell with some gaiety by asking the
team to sing.

Irawan said in his speech that the Air Force also reserved two
Hercules C-130 airplanes for the national contingent.

"We just want to prove that we, the Armed Forces, care about
the people. Therefore, it's out of proportion if people keep
denouncing us."

Hindarto said Benny Martarius would carry the national flag
during the opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium on
Sunday afternoon.

The sports council originally picked national volleyball team
captain Loudry Maspaetella, but he refused because he will play
on Monday morning.

"I am very happy because I never expected to be the flag
bearer," Benny, 25, said.

Female fencer Fabiola Tirza Paulany Ratu and Olympic men's
doubles badminton champion Rexy Ronald Mainaky will dress in
traditional costumes during the opening ceremony march.

Unfortunately, officials forgot to pack the costumes. "I don't
know what kind of costumes are available at the Indonesian
Embassy in Bangkok," Hindarto said. (yan)