President Soeharto wishes Indonesian Olympians luck
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday primed the self- confidence of Indonesian athletes who will compete in the Atlanta Olympic Games in two weeks.
In a brief meeting with the Indonesian Olympic contingent at Merdeka Palace, Soeharto insisted the athletes do their best and avoid feeling inferior against world-class athletes.
"The only thing you have to do is prepare yourselves to do your best. Never mind if you lose, because you have fought it out," Soeharto said.
State/Minister Secretary Moerdiono, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Hayono Isman, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, in his capacity as chairman of the Indonesian Archery Association, and chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar attended the meeting.
Indonesia will send 39 athletes to compete in 10 sports at the Centennial Olympics, which will run from July 19 through Aug. 4. Indonesia aims to win two gold medals in badminton.
Archery, tennis, track and field, swimming, table tennis, weight lifting, boxing, surfing and beach volleyball are also events in which Indonesia hopes to excel.
After the stately gathering, Hayono said the Indonesian Olympic contingent would receive a Rp 1 billion (US$423,500) donation from the 19th Southeast Asian Games underwriting consortium.
The consortium, led by Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo who is also the Bimantara Group's owner, will provide the money next Monday or Tuesday.
Hayono, on behalf of the government, yesterday handed Wismoyo a Rp 500 million donation for the Olympic contingent.
"As of today, we have collected Rp 4.3 billion from our budget of Rp 5.2 billion," Wismoyo said. With the new financial aid commitment from the SEA Games consortium, the Olympic team will enjoy a Rp 100 million surplus.
Wismoyo said the Olympic team had received Rp 2 billion from the budget of the last Southeast Asian Games, Rp 2.77 billion from Citibank and Rp 60 million from AT&T.
The contingent will leave the country in several batches, starting on Monday. Badminton players will fly for Atlanta in the last batch on July 17. (yan/amd)