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)