Reporters enlisted for sports promotion

JAKARTA (JP): Apparently still smarting from its unexpected lopsided defeat to host Thailand in last year's 18th SEA Games, the National Sports Council will hold a workshop for local sports scribes to gather fresh views and ideas from them on ways to develop national sports.

The workshop will be held from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18 in Ciloto, a hilly district some 90 kilometers southeast of here.

"I hope the workshop will serve its purpose, that is to draw up the right strategy in lifting the standard of national sports to the desired heights, " council spokesman Frits Simajuntak said yesterday when briefing the journalists invited to attend the workshop.

He did not imply, however, that one of the workshop's objectives was to discuss Indonesia's ignominious loss to Thailand at the Chiang Mai Games and find ways to offset the setback.

He stressed sports writers have a strategic role in helping develop national sports by contributing novel ideas and input through articles and commentaries in both print and electronic media.

Nine-time defending champion Indonesia was forced to swallow a bitter pill by Thailand at last year's SEA Games when the highly motivated and fired-up home athletes relieved the Indonesians of their overall championship title in devastating fashion.

Indonesia lost the title to Thailand by a huge margin-- more than 50 gold medals separating them.

Three of the five main topics to be discussed during the two- day workshop carry the themes: A flashback to Indonesia's showing at last year's SEA Games in Thailand; Indonesia's target at next year's SEA Games in Jakarta; and The management strategy in a sports organization. (bas)