No excessive jingoism

The 19th Southeast Asian Games have begun, and hopefully they will lead to even better friendships and understanding among the nations of this region.

The opening ceremonies went off quite well. However, I am quite appalled at the constant emphasis on Indonesia having to be No. 1 during the Games. A giant poster near the TVRI television station already proclaims: "Indonesia Champions!" I wonder how our foreign guests feel when they pass this sign.

I remember that when the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games were televised worldwide, the Americans were -- quite rightly so -- criticized by the international and Indonesian media for excessive jingoism in their quest for gold medals. But I also remember during the subsequent SEA Games held in Jakarta that decade, we Indonesians were guilty of doing the same thing -- greatly abetted by a chauvinistic local press.

Winning is wonderful, but it isn't everything. Once in a while a Martina Hingis, a Pete Sampras or a Muhammad Ali has to lose. It gives them (and us) a sense of perspective in sports.

So let's cheer on our valiant Indonesian athletes, but clap just as loudly when a Singaporean or a Myanmarese or a Thai wins a gold medal. To fail to do so would be truly rude to our fraternal neighboring countries.

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta