President closes PON with tribute to achievement
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