SEAG athletes told to stay in Jakarta

SEAG athletes told to stay in Jakarta

JAKARTA: National athletes in training for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) have been barred from joining the annual Idul Fitri exodus to hometowns.

Head of daily affairs at the National Sports Council (KONI), Djoko Pramono, said on Monday athletes would not be permitted to travel home for the post-fasting month holiday, set for Nov. 3- Nov. 4.

"We have deliberately prohibited them from going home because the holiday is only two days. If they were allowed to, usually it (the trip) would stretch to four or more days, due to various excuses," he was quoted as saying by Antara news service.

The SEA Games will be held on Nov. 27-Dec. 5 in the Philippines.

Djoko said sanctions for errant athletes would be decided by their coaches, but he would make a spot inspection of each training site on the weekend after the holiday.

He also said national athletes would receive a holiday bonus of Rp 1 million (about US$100) regardless of whether they would be sent to compete in the Philippines. -- JP