President closes PON with tribute to achievement
By Ivy Susanti
SURABAYA (JP): East Java has realized its ambition to become not only a successful host but also the overall champion at the 15th National Games (PON) which was officially closed on Friday evening by President Abdurrahman Wahid at the Delta stadium.
"I'm very proud of the organizers and the loyalty shown by all provinces toward this country during the event. When this nation is in crisis and our unity is threatened, athletes can still manage to attain their highest achievements," said Abdurrahman, applauding the major achievements and loyalty of participants from 26 provinces.
Just before he delivered his speech, the President praised men's powerlifter Sutrisno of Lampung and men's sprinter Yanes Raubaba of Irian Jaya, who set new national records.
Host East Java clinched its victory after winning 132 golds, 107 silvers and 115 bronzes.
Jakarta, which has always been the overall champion since the seventh PON in 1969, succumbed to the runner-up position by earning 116 golds, 85 silvers and 96 bronzes.
West Java was unable to move from its constant third position by collecting 83 golds, 92 silvers and 106 bronzes.
The next PON will take place in Palembang, South Sumatra, in 2004. The PON flag was passed from East Java Governor Imam Oetomo to South Sumatra Governor Rosihan Arsyad.
Friday's ceremony also saw a wheelchair race exhibition for the disabled. The National Sports Council (KONI) plans to stage National Games for the Disabled in the next event.
Well-known magician Deddy Corbuzier performed his latest trick by driving a jeep while blindfolded through a human obstacle course, managing to avoid 20 people on the soccer field at the stadium.
Three remaining golds were shared on Friday by East Java, West Java and Irian Jaya respectively in the women's 4x400m relay final, men's 1,500m run final and men's 4x400m final prior to the closing ceremony.
The East Java women's team of Anik Sulistyowati, Endang Kusmiati, Lina Febriasari and Ester Sumah contributed the last gold in the 4x400m relay final by clocking 3 minutes and 49.15 seconds.
The West Java team of Ni Galuh Chandra, Rini Hartatik, Dedeh Erawati and Raquel Pireira earned the silver by clocking 3:50.56 while the Irian Jaya team of Sandra Kamkopimu, Yolanda Worsiwori, Yosephina Mara and Orpa Ayeri was third in 3:55.05.
Dicky Gunawan of West Java clocked 3:55.67 to win the gold in the men's 1,500m final followed by Fathur Rohman of East Java with a time of 3:56.05 and Emilmon of West Sumatra with 3:56.08.
Irian was dominant in the track event after its team of Onesimus Windesi, Alfred Andarek, Agus Dimara and John Murray finished first in the men's 4x400m relay with a time of 3:13.76.
The East Java team of Agus Wibowo, Imam Safi'i, Gunawan and Erwin Heru Susanto clocked 3:14.07 to earn the silver medal and West Java team of Reinhard J. Tall, Bakrun, Marcelius Woraba and Ikin Ruhuddin got the bronze in 3:15.24.
Medal Tally Provinces Gold Silver Bronze East Java 132 107 115 Jakarta 116 85 96 West Java 83 92 106 Central Java 42 63 65 Lampung 20 22 26 Jambi 19 9 13 Irian Jaya 18 19 24 East Kalimantan 14 11 17 North Sumatra 14 10 19 South Sulawesi 12 13 18 North Sulawesi 11 15 17 South Kalimantan 11 8 10 Bali 10 10 15 South Sumatra 8 14 16 Southeast Sulawesi 8 5 13 Yogyakarta 6 12 25 Maluku 6 3 6 Riau 5 9 15 West Kalimantan 4 8 7 East Nusa Tenggara 4 6 8 Central Kalimantan 3 11 18 West Nusa Tenggara 3 6 7 Central Sulawesi 2 1 3 Bengkulu 1 3 5 Aceh 1 1 13 West Sumatra - 4 7 Total 553 547 684