RI wants wrestling back in SEA Games

RI wants wrestling back in SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Wrestling Association pledged yesterday to battle it out to bring the sport back to the Southeast Asian Games scene next year.

TB Silalahi said after being sworn in as the association's patron by National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday that wrestling deserves re-admission to the SEA Games because the sport is a regular medal event in both the Olympic Games and Asian Games.

Wrestling made its last appearance in the SEA Games in 1987, when host Indonesia swept up all 20 gold medals at stake.

The SEA Games council members will decide the medal events to be competed in the 1997 episode of the biennial event in a meeting here scheduled for August.

Silalahi said that, if the sport makes a comeback, Indonesia would not be strong enough to repeat such a tremendous feat. "Our chance is not that bright," said Silalahi, who is also minister of administrative reforms.

Silalahi was originally named the new chairman of the association last year, but shortly after the appointment he handed in the top post to Kilian Sidabutar.

"I initiated the re-arrangement in the organization because of my tight schedule as a minister. The chairmanship position must be given to someone who manages to carry out his day-to-day duties," he said.

Substitute chairman of the association, Sidabutar, said that the association is arranging a national training program for about 40 athletes for the next SEA Games.

"The training program will groom 20 wrestlers who will be our first choices, and 20 backup wrestlers," he said.

Sidabutar said that in an attempt to enhance his team's performance, the association will hire a foreign coach.

He also said that the national team members will undergo an overseas stint prior to the Games, but the association has yet to decide the place for the stint. (05)