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)

Doping -- Page 12