Mega hopes athletes win 15 golds at Asian Games
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri met national athletes preparing for the 2002 Asian Games on Wednesday and left them wondering whether she was serious when she said she wanted 15 gold medals brought back from Busan.
Indonesia brought home six gold medals to finish in 11th place out of 42 Asian countries competing in Bangkok four years ago.
The National Sports Council (KONI), which is responsible for the athletes' preparation, has said that Indonesia would try to perform better but it fell short of giving the exact number of medals they were aiming for.
"I have been told that we will try to win more than last time. But if that is only seven, we will have only done better by one. What for?" Megawati said in a relaxed manner before the athletes, KONI officials and patron members of the KONI-affiliated sports organizations.
"I want fifteen," she said, still in a relaxed tone, but her words sounding somewhat demanding.
There was no prompt applause from the athletes, which may have signaled their disbelief in hearing the President mention such a high number of gold medals.
Megawati was accompanied by husband Taufik Kiemas, Minister of Trade Rini Suwandi and State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi.
Before being ushered to the gathering, which was held at KONI's headquarters, the President and her entourage stopped over at the Bung Karno sports compound to watch athletes in weightlifting, tae kwon do and gymnastics train at Hall B.
The inspection lasted less than a quarter of an hour before heading to KONI's headquarters.
"It was actually a bit revolting when Pa Wis (KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar) asked me to come and give (financial) support. So how many will he promise to get? Right, I want fifteen," Megawati said.
KONI had previously recruited as many as 176 athletes at the start of the training workout early this year. But under a strict policy that regulates only those with good medal prospects should go, the number has been whittled down to 124.
The calculation used for selection is based on competitiveness and it gave a tentative prediction that the athletes, who will compete in 19 sports, will only be able to grab nine gold medals at the most.
"Please, journalists, remind me that KONI must achieve 15 golds," Megawati said.
"Hopefully, we can. And hopefully, my visit will make Indonesia, which has been going downhill, prosper again.
"I'd like to say goodbye. Be careful, keep your health and I wish you all success," she said.
Meanwhile, Wismoyo, who said that the President was serious about her wish, added that it was an almost impossible task to net 15 gold medals.
"That's a hard way to go. We'll take it (Mega's wish) as motivation," Wismoyo said.
Rudolf Warrouw, KONI official responsible for the contingent's preparation, said: "If it's God wish, why not? We could take even 20."