Soccer to be contested early at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Soccer, the most prestigious event at the upcoming 18th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, will be contested earlier than Dec. 9, the day the Games formally opens.

"Soccer competitions will start on Dec. 3. Booters can be accommodated at the athletes' village from Dec. 1, although the village will be officially opened on Dec. 6," said Ishadi, the spokesman for the National Sports Council, on Monday.

Soccer will be contested first. The lots, slated to be drawn on Oct. 14 at the Imperial Green Park, will be televised live to Southeast Asian countries, added Ishadi, fresh from his three-day visit to Chiang Mai, the site for the Games.

The biggest impression Ishadi got from his Thailand visit was that Thailand was so secretive when it came to how it prepares its athletes for the Games.

Thai athletes are split into two groups: a main group, and a secondary group which functions as reserves.

"The Thai athletes we have seen in many Asian as well as Southeast Asian events prior to the Games are reserves. Its first-class athletes are being groomed in Europe or China. So we cannot know how strong they really are," Ishadi said.

As unbelievable as it may sound, Santiparb Tedjavanidja, secretary-general of the Games' organizing committee, told Ishadi that "Thailand will field their reserves at the SEA Games."

The truth of Santiparb's statement may be questionable, according to Ishadi. As host, it goes without saying that Thailand must be eager to take the overall title. To meet this end, will reserves do, especially given the fact that Thailand's sports authorities have vowed to present the overall title as a birthday gift for their king?

Ishadi praised the way Thailand has been preparing Chiang Mai for hosting the Games, linking it with Thailand's ambition to be the future host of the Asian Games. (arf)