Soeharto wants sportsmanship at SEA Games

Soeharto wants sportsmanship at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has called on Indonesia's
19th SEA Games team to do their best at the Games, and to develop
friendships with the other athletes.

"Sportsmanship and friendship in the sports arena could help
create a world peace, security and welfare," Soeharto said after
receiving the Indonesian contingent and its officials at State
Palace yesterday.

Soeharto said that at present sports were a part of life
worldwide.

"This can be seen from people's needs, and sports' influence
on education, employment, health, etc."

"Sports activities at international level could have a
positive influence on individual relationships as well as among
groups and nations.

"Thus, sports meetings could strengthen friendships, broaden
understanding and develop cultural relationships."

Soeharto said he hoped the athletes competing in the coming
Games could create an atmosphere that strengthened friendships
among neighboring countries.

"Such a situation could help toward achieving sports prestige
at the highest level," the President said.

Soeharto considers sports prestige to be a matter of pride for
a country, especially if it is at international level.

"Friendship should always inspire sports events. Another aim
which is important is to achieve the highest prestige."

Soeharto further said that he had noticed that the SEA Games
has encouraged people to play sport.

"The funds from the people have been channeled toward the
Games. The people's support should push the athletes to display
their best performance."

The Indonesian contingent which met with the President was
headed by Togi Hutagaul as chief de mission.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Youth and Sports
Affairs Hayono Isman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, chairman of the
National Sports Committee (KONI), and other KONI officials.

The athletes wore their sports uniforms.

Soeharto presented a red-and-white flag to Wismoyo who later
handed it over to Togi.

Concentration

Meanwhile, KONI deputy chairman Arie Sudewo urged Monday the
athletes to concentrate on their events and try not to be
distracted by thinking that they had to make the Indonesia
overall champions at the Games.

"The main duties of the athletes are to compete and win. Don't
think about chasing the overall championship for Indonesia," Arie
said.

But he said he hoped that the athletes could break SEA Games,
Asian Games and Olympic records.

Arie repeated Soeharto's statement to Hayono -- that the most
important thing was to do their best rather than chase the
overall championship.

"We should keep in mind Soeharto's wish," Arie said.

Ferry Sonneville, a national badminton star in the 1950s, has
been nominated to take the SEA Games torch to Senayan Main
Stadium on Oct. 11.

"We have proposed Ferry to carry the torch because of his
performance in badminton and business," M. Hindarto, the
competition director said.

Besides Ferry, Purnomo and Henny Maspaitela have also been
nominated to carry the torch.

"If I was to choose, I would certainly choose Ferry. Although
there is Sarengat, but his prestige is only at Asian level. Ferry
has not only succeeded in badminton but also in his business,"
Hindarto said.

"Ferry was once president of the world real estate
organization. Such a position could only be achieved by people of
high caliber."

Hindarto said 16 people had been nominated for holding the SEA
Games flags. Among them are Lim Siao Bok (volleyball), Purnomo
and Henny (athletics).

"There will also be wrestlers and footballers," Hindarto said.
(lnt)

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