RI contingent dismayed by Thai domination

RI contingent dismayed by Thai domination

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo
Arismunandar said in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Sunday evening that
the Indonesian contingent to the Southeast Asian Games was very
dismayed about Thailand's domination of the regional sporting
event.

At that time, host Thailand had already bagged 16 gold medals,
eight silvers and seven bronzes.

Ishadi S.K., the Indonesian contingent's spokesman, delivered
Arismunandar's statement. He said that the scare had resulted
from Indonesia's athletes' failure to collect 10 gold medals by
that stage, as had been anticipated. Instead, Indonesia had
managed to earn only four gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals
in the 31 sports finals held on the first day of the Games.

Antara reported that the Games' organizing committee scheduled
competitions in certain sports, in which Thailand is strong, for
the first day of the regional sports meet. Assuming the report to
be correct, the committee's efforts bore fruit, with most of the
contingents from 10 nations surprised by Thailand's medal spree.

Meanwhile, Arie Soedewo, Indonesia's chef de mission, said the
committee had engaged in some "unusual practices" in several
sports, including cycling, diving, equestrian and weightlifting.

One of the incidents saw Indonesian cyclist Nurhayati shadowed
by a Thai official during a race. Arie said that Indonesia had
protested, providing the committee with videotape and photo
evidence of the alleged irregularity.

Unfortunately, in three other sports Indonesia could not
protest because it lacked material evidence of questionable
practices alleged.

In lodging protests, officials and managers have to provide
material evidence, such as videotapes and photos. Any protest
should be submitted no later than 15 days after an event.

Arie said officials should respect the decisions of the
committee on protests, irrespective of what these are, in order
to maintain an atmosphere of sportsmanship at the ongoing Games.

Responding to reports that the committee had been less than
fair in some instances, Wismoyo asked the 200 Indonesian
reporters present in Chiang Mai to take care not to undermine
their compatriots' performance through demoralizing reports.

He said that reporters should interview athletes, rather than
officials or managers, in case of irregularities in the conduct
of any event. (05)