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.