Sports council seeks media help for SEAG
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Sports Council wants support from all media, both print and broadcast, to help ensure the success of the SEA Games here in October.
"I want the full support of the mass media to make the Jakarta Games a success. Don't write articles that hinder the athletes' performances, " council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said during a breaking of fast at the Antara news agency office Monday.
Wismoyo said the media should write positive articles and features about the event.
He also said there had been enough exposure of the Badminton Association of Indonesia contract money dispute.
"I am not against reporters informing people what's going on in the badminton association but I don't think the matter should be further publicized as it has been settled," Wismoyo said. He was accompanied by his Deputy Chairman Ari Sudewo and Antara chief Handojo Nitimiharjo.
According to Wismoyo, Indonesia wants success on two levels at the Games; both in taking back the overall champion title from Thailand and as the host.
"The success of the Games is also determined by the role of the organizing committee. The committee should give a good image of the athletes and officials involved in the Games. We must stick to the motto of friendship among Southeast Asian countries," Wismoyo said.
Wismoyo, however, said the biggest task is to win back the overall champion title which was won by Thailand when Chiang Mai hosted the region's biggest sports meeting in 1995.
At the 1995 Games, Thailand won by taking 157 gold medals, Indonesia was a distant second with 77 golds and the Philippines third with 33 golds.
For an athlete, said the chairman, the key to achieving a target is the will of the athlete and the cooperation of the coach.
Task
Wismoyo gave an example of lifter Sutrisno who became a world weightlifting champion. "Sutrisno is only a construction worker and had no international experience, yet he became a world champion. It is here that Sutrisno showed his will and confidence that he could win."
Meanwhile, Djoko Pramono, the SEA Games training director, said he regretted that three of the nation's best cyclists had withdrawn from the training program for the coming Games.
"The withdrawal of the three cyclists is a big blow for Indonesia and our quest to capture cycling medals at the Games," Djoko said.
The three cyclists are brothers Herry Janto and Hengky Setiawan and Tubagus Mohammad Maulana. They left the training center in December because they wanted to concentrate on their work.
Herry and his brother Henky, both from Jakarta, won six gold medals at the 14th National Games while Maulana took a gold medal in the men's 100-km team time trial together with Tonton Susanto, Eggi Eirin Ismalin and Mohammad Handy at the 1995 Games in Thailand.
The Indonesian Cycling Association has set a target of eight golds in the coming Games. They are expected to come from the track, road race and mountain race. (lnt)