Mega slammed after she complains
Mega slammed after she complains
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has been criticized for her
reprimand of national athletes and their performances in the
just-concluded Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, with sports officials
urging the president to personally visit the athletes in order to
have a better perspective of the condition of sports in the
country.
Djoko Pramono, chef de mission for the country's contingent to
the 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, said on Tuesday
that, as a national leader, the President should look into how
the athletes put aside personal interest for the sake of the
nation.
"Please don't condemn our athletes. I will not accept it," he
told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony awarding bonuses to
all medalists in Senayan.
Earlier, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said that she felt
ashamed after Indonesia finished behind Vietnam and Thailand in
the medal count last week for the SEA Games during a meeting with
the Indonesian community in Islamabad.
Megawati said Indonesians lacked "the will" to strive and had
no national pride.
Djoko said the athletes had done their best in the competition
and would continue battling to see the red and white flag hoisted
in international events.
He said that national sport officials needed to work harder to
provide more information to the President about the conditions
that athletes face in this country.
"The President must know the reality, that the condition is
not good, which makes the athletes not competitive even in the
Southeast Asian region.
"The whole situation here (lack of real government commitment)
just does not support high level athletic development. It's not
the athletes to blame. Underline that!," he ordered reporters.
Indonesian Sport Council (KONI) chairman Agum Gumelar, who is
also the country's transportation minister, refused direct
comment but seemed offended by Megawati's harsh words.
"I am speechless and truly sorry to hear about the statement,"
Agum said.
He said that the athletes deserved a lot of recognition and
appreciation for what they had managed to do in training workouts
and during competition.
Agum addressed the athletes in a post-SEA Games gathering
which marked the dissolution of the 600-plus contingent.
"Who wouldn't be proud to have known you patriots," he said.
He also mentioned a few of the top athletes at the SEA Games.
"You are all full of high spirit and determination. We are
proud of you all," he told the athletes in a very emotional
address that had most people fighting back tears.
KONI and its main sponsor Bank Mandiri also announced cash
bonuses for the medal winners.