KONI reassured over Asiad team

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has told the Indonesian Sports Council (KONI) and sports organizations not to be discouraged if only a small team is sent to the Asian Games in Thailand this December.

"We have to economize our foreign exchange. Although we have received financial support from the people, it is still a foreign exchange expenditure," State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said after meeting Soeharto yesterday.

Hayono met Soeharto to report on the Indonesian team's preparations for the Asian Games, to be held from Dec. 6-Dec. 20 in Bangkok.

Indonesia is trying hard to improve its ranking at the Asian Games, which was 11th at the last quadrennial meet.

Hayono said Indonesia was being forced to cut the number of athletes in the team due to the economic crisis affecting the country.

"Soeharto has ordered KONI only to send athletes to the Bangkok Games from sports which could win medals, such as badminton and weightlifting," Hayono said. (lnt)