RI athletes told to prepare for 1997 SEA Games

RI athletes told to prepare for 1997 SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian athletes should not get carried away
by losing the title at the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang
Mai, Thailand, last week, an official said on Tuesday

Wismoyo Arismunandar, chairman of the National Sports Council,
expressed his hope that all athletes will begin preparing
themselves to win the title at the 1997 SEA Games in Indonesia.

"Our loss is not your (athletes) fault. You all have tried
your best during the Games," he said on Tuesday while dismissing
the Indonesian SEA Games contingent and handing out bonuses at
the council's headquarters.

Some 400 athletes, members of the SEA Games team, wearing
their red-and-white track suits were present at the simple
ceremony.

At the ceremony, which was presided over by chef de mission
Arie Soedewo, chief council Wismoyo encouraged athletes to
prepare themselves for the 1997 SEA Games.

"Our ambition is to recapture the overall title and we
shouldn't let ourselves be humiliated in our own country," he
enjoined. He was later applauded by the hundreds of athletes.

Wismoyo also urged athletes and officials to learn a lesson
from the just-completed SEA Games.

"You must boost your aptitude and diminish your
imperfections," he insisted, "Don't let yourselves give up
easily."

Wismoyo told all sporting officials to start evaluating the
SEA Games results to anticipate the competition's progress in two
years.

"What happened in Chiang Mai is the responsibility of the
highest sport officials in the country. I will take the necessary
responsibilities," he pledged.

During the ceremony, which was also attended by Indonesian
Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Wismoyo asked
the public to keep level heads and not overreact to sporting
losses.

"This is wrong. The people should support us when we win to
keep our winning spirit," he said.

"Our loss is not the end of the job, but a start of glorious
achievements," he continued.

During the ceremony, Wismoyo asked Arie Soedewo to reconsider
his intention to resign.

"What the chef de mission said came from a sportsman," Wismoyo
insisted, "If his and my resignation will solve any problems in
our sports condition, we both will do it."

"Neither of us intended to become the chairman and vice
chairman of the council," he added, "All we wanted was to serve
the nation."

The ceremony ended with the singing of Kita Harus Menang
(We've Got To Win) by the officials, managers and athletes.

Wismoyo said Thailand had prepared its athletes better and
that the government received help from the private sector to
build sports facilities in Chiang Mai.

"I realize that sports has not become the government priority
due to other factors more important to the nation's benefit," he
said.

"I urged successful businesspeople to develop individual
sports," he said.

Bonus

Gold medal winners were handed their bonuses at the ceremony.
Wismoyo symbolically handed over Rp 25 million (US$10,000) bonus
to boxer Judoka Krisna Bayu who collected two gold medals in the
men's heavyweight and free classes.

Wismoyo said the bonuses were provided by PT Tugu Pratama,
representing Indonesians who care about sports.

According to Wismoyo, athletes will get Rp 25 million for each
gold medal they won. Bayu will receive Rp 50 million for his two
gold medals.

Wismoyo said that in rowing, with 11 female and 22 male
athletes per team, the bonus will reach Rp 700 million for seven
gold medals. (05)