Student demonstration mars Sports Day celebration

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The commemoration of the 16th National Sports Day on Thursday at Manahan Stadium was marked by a student demonstration and the absence of President B.J. Habibie, who had earlier planned to attend the ceremony.

The demonstrators were prevented by security officers from entering the stadium, although they did pelt objects into the ceremony venue.

Surakarta Police chief of detectives Capt. Anwar Effendi said his men arrested one suspect, who he described as a provocateur.

State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono said Habibie opted not to attend the ceremony so he could focus on the problems in East Timor.

Habibie said in his speech, read by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono, that the performance of Indonesian athletes in international events lagged behind that of athletes from other countries.

The President also expressed his disappointment with Indonesia's poor showing in the 20th Southeast Asian Games in Brunei Darussalam last month, where the country finished in third place, its worst showing since the Games began in 1977.

Habibie urged the sports community to work harder to improve the country's future athletic achievements. The government plans to name the period from 2000 to 2010 the National Movement to Develop Physical Fitness and Sports Decade.

Agung, who was also the chairman of the commemoration's organizing committee, said in his speech that the government was considering staging the National Games (PON) every two years instead of every four years.

"By staging PON every two years, provinces will have the chance to prepare their athletes to reach international standards," he said.

This move would be in line with Act No. 22/1999 on the administration's bigger role in developing sports.

During the ceremony, 38 awards were given to 12 athletes, three coaches, four officials, two referees, four provincial administrators and two universities.

Receiving the Parama Krida Madya award were boxer Hermansen Ballo, tae kwon doin Dominggus Boro Wasomono, who received his award posthumously, former sprinter Purnomo, chess player Erwin Yulianto, scuba diver Jeffry Tjahya, sprinter Irene Truitje Joseph, pole vaulter Nunung Jayadi, diver Shenny Ratna Amelia, karateka Novilus Tedius Yoku, pencak silat athlete Hermi Setyawaty, billiard and snooker player Alwi and fencer Mutti Susiarini. (44)