KONI sends 179 officials to SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) nominated on Friday a staggering 179 officials to the country's delegation to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.

However, KONI spokesman Ahmed Solihin was quick to play down the size of the non-participating pack, saying the figure was far below the maximum of 50 percent of the combined number of competing athletes and their coaches that the quota allowed.

"With athletes and coaches amounting to 680, officials only make up 26 percent, which is still lower than the limit set by KULSOC," he said, referring to the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Organizing Committee.

There will be 541 athletes in the team competing in 29 sports, with hopes of collecting 110 gold medals.

Ahmad said no family members of the officials will be included in the national contingent, although they are free to go to Kuala Lumpur at their own expense.

"The number of officials may look too much, but I assure you that there are no family members in the list," said Ahmed.

There are 90 technical officials and 89 supporting officials, most of whom have their expenses covered by KONI. Several others are financed by their own sports organizations.

The technical officials include judges, referees and mechanics in sports such as cycling and rowing. The supporting officials include physicians, dentists, nutritionists and other specialists, as well as psychologists and masseurs.

"We must consider that the competitions are held in three different cities and there are seven or eight venues that need a greater number of officials," Ahmed said.

The Indonesian contingent is slated to bid farewell to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday. (nvn)