SBY wants action after grim SEAG
Musthofid and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Manila/Yogyakarta
As the host Philippines basked in the glory of its first victory in the overall medal standings in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Monday, Indonesia was left to pick up the pieces from a disastrous campaign.
The nine-time winner of the biennial regional multisport event was a lowly fifth of the 11 nations in the overall gold medal standings -- its worst ever finish since its debut in 1977.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono immediately ordered the National Sports Council (KONI) and the Office of the State Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs to take steps to improve national athletes' performance in international events.
"The President has instructed the state minister's office and KONI to conduct an evaluation, restructuring and revitalizing of sports in Indonesia so Indonesia can enhance its prestige in international sports events," presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said at Agung Palace in Yogyakarta following the opening of the International Junior Science Olympiad.
The evaluation is expected to include proposed steps for the future handling of sport, Andi said, noting that national sports belonged to the public.
The President was grateful for the efforts of the 667-strong contingent, the spokesman said, but added the fifth-place finish "... was, of course, disappointing because it wasn't what we wished for".
Indonesia collected 49 gold, 79 silver and 89 bronze, compared to its 2003 third place total of 53 gold, 64 silver and 95 bronze.
The Philippines finished with 113 gold, followed by Thailand (87), Vietnam (71) and Malaysia (61). Indonesia was fourth for total medals, its 217 behind the host nation (291), Thailand (283) and Vietnam (228).
In Manila, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially closed the Games at Quirino Grandstand with a message of friendship.
"To all the athletes and officials of the participating nations of Southeast Asia, we bid you farewell with a deep sense of gratitude, warm friendship and camaraderie," Arroyo said.
Despite the Games' theme of regional solidarity, Thailand, which will be the next host in 2007, led a chorus of complaints about biased judging for the local athletes.
With six events held on the final day, Indonesia added a silver from the defending champion men's volleyball team, which lost to Thailand, and three bronze in the chess competition.
Indonesia's campaign was hurt by its poor performance in aquatics, athletics, gymnastics, shooting and wushu -- all of which provided the bulk of the Games' gold medals with 164.
Indonesia secured nine gold in these events, while Vietnam took 24, Malaysia 30, the Philippines 34 and Thailand 37.
National athletes also fell short of their targets in billiards and snooker, archery, fencing, sailing, tae kwon do, traditional boat racing and wrestling
Still, several national athletes were outstanding.
In tennis, an inspired Wynne Prakusya won three gold while badminton rebounded from a loss in the men's team final to Malaysia to sweep four of the five individual events.
The karate team, spearheaded by Umar Syarief, usurped Vietnam from its top spot from 2003.
They were the few bright interludes in an otherwise dour campaign.