Student demonstration mars Sports Day celebration

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)