Ministers expected to support athletes in SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): After President B.J. Habibie visited the nation's athletes being groomed for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the National Sports Council (KONI) urged other government leaders to support athletes in Brunei Darussalam next month.

Indonesia's chef de mission for the Games, Mochammad Hindarto, told reporters on Tuesday that ministers and top officials, many of whom chair sports organizations, were expected to support athletes at the biennial event from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

Among top officials expected to arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan named by Hindarto were State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng, who is chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti); Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan, chairman of the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI); Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto, who chairs the Indonesian Karate Federation (Forki) and the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabbsi).

Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi, and the Governor of Indonesian Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, who chairs the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI), have confirmed plans to attend the Games.

"The SEA Games organizers have asked us to enlist the ministers and state officials who also serve as sports organization chairpersons. The organizers want to give the best service for them," said Hindarto.

He said two more doctors, an orthopedist and a doping expert would join the contingent. This is in addition to the six doctors KONI was sending for the event.

Twenty sports are scheduled to be held at the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan. The complex consists of a main stadium, track-and-field stadium, tennis center, indoor badminton center, multi-purpose hall for pencak silat, squash court, bowls field, hockey stadium and swimming pool.

Speaking on the host's preparations to welcome about 4,000 athletes and officials to the Games, Hindarto said Brunei authorities had provided public transportation to allow athletes, officials and journalists to travel from their hotels to sports venues.

"Obviously they want to give the best service to their guests. There is less public transportation operated in Brunei, because everyone owns cars," he said. (ivy)