Politics intrudes on sports for Ananda

JAKARTA (JP): The political situation in Indonesia spurred young driver Ananda Mikola to remove an "Indonesia on the move" banner from his car during the fifth race of the Formula 3000 at Misano circuit in Italy late September.

Ananda, who came home for a break, told reporters on Thursday that he had to take the banner off because other drivers and some officials forced him to.

"In the morning before the race, Italian newspapers printed a photograph of a priest killed in East Timor and that made the Pope angry. Then the media and all the people at the circuit started to ask me questions about the latest situation in Indonesia and they also forced me to remove the banner," he said.

Ananda put the banner on as he was installed as Indonesia's tourism representative early this year.

"But I told them that the Indonesian government was able to control the situation in the country. As an Indonesian, I have to defend my country," said the 20-year-old driver.

Ananda, who drives under the banner of the Edenbridge Racing Team, met with National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.

Wismoyo gave his support to Ananda to keep concentrating on his race and separate himself from the political situation in the country.

"I told people in Italy that sports are sports and politics are politics. I don't want to mix the two together but it seems the Italians could not accept my explanation," he said.

Ananda is in the 10th position of the F3000 series with only four points after his victory in the third series in Pergusa, which was annulled by organizers due to technical problems.

"I will still appeal on the matter. If I can claim my win in the third race, I will get a bonus of 10 points -- which now belongs to Italian Giorgio Vinella -- and it will put myself in fourth (place)," he said.

Ananda still has one series remaining in the Imola circuit on Oct. 24. (yan)