RI determined to retain supremacy in SEA Games

RI determined to retain supremacy in SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council discounted yesterday
a changing schedule of the 18th Southeast Asian Games closing
ceremony as a threat to Indonesia's title defense attempt.

Indonesia's project officer of the Games, Arie Sudewo, told
reporters yesterday that the national team would battle it out to
retain its supremacy, whatever event preludes the closing
ceremony on Dec. 17.

Host Thailand has scheduled the soccer final with the boxing
finals as the last medal race during the eight days of
competition. The organizers said that boxing would climax the
Games since the sport is the most popular event in the country.
The soccer final traditionally closes the region's sporting
extravaganza.

"I have no special comment on the alteration, as long as it
does not violate the rules. The change has nothing to do with our
strong bid to win," Arie said.

Executive chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing
Association, Imron Z.S., also found nothing worrying about the
agenda change.

"As host, Thailand has its own purposes. But I always think
positive. Thailand teaches us how to develop boxing to become a
popular sport," Imron said. "To some extent, Thailand has left us
behind in scouting talents," Imron admitted.

Indonesia has named nine boxers for the Games. Boxing will
offer 12 gold medals.

The council completed its seven-month national selection on
Monday by picking 472 athletes to don the national colors in 26
sports during the Games in Chiang Mai. Sportsmen dominate the
line-up with a total of 301 athletes.

The national contingent will also include 118 coaches and 101
officials.

"I'm satisfied with our athletes' performance so far. They
keep my optimism alive," Arie said. The council has set its
sights on collecting 30 percent of the 334 gold medals at stake
to win the Games for a record ninth time.

Chairman of the council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, is expected to
officially announce the SEA Games team line-up by this weekend.
The 691-strong contingent will leave for Chiang Mai on Dec. 6.

The national athletes will have a meeting with President
Soeharto prior to their departure.

Earlier yesterday, Wismoyo set off seven female gymnasts for
the SEA Games who will undergo a three-week overseas stint in
Guangzhou, China.

"We originally planned to send them to Russia, but we fell
short of funds. Besides, we are afraid of the chilly weather,"
team manager Sri Hastuti Mardiko said.

Indonesia will field seven males and seven females in
gymnastics, with a modest target of winning three golds.
Gymnastic golds swell to 21 from internationally-recognized 14
after Thailand introduced seven new medal events in rhythmic
disciplines.

Hastuti said that she had succeeded in persuading the
organizers to pick a jury of appeal from each team to accompany
two judges handling each competition.

Host Thailand has also agreed to Hastuti's idea using video
cameras in competitions as proof if a disappointed team lodges a
protest.

"We have been probing every avenue to make sure that the
competition will run fairly," Hastuti said.

Hastuti predicted a daunting challenge in the women's event,
rather than in the men's division. "The Philippines, Thailand and
Indonesia look equal in the women's medal race," she said. (amd)