Taufik donates cash to SEA Games team

Taufik donates cash to SEA Games team

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Morale and support remain high for
Indonesia's team at the 21st Southeast Asian Games, despite the
likelihood of finishing third in the medal standings for the
second year running.

The team will also return home US$60,000 richer, thanks to
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas, who
visited and had lunch with the country's athletes and officials
at the Dynasty Hotel here on Saturday.

Taufik attended the function with the Coordinating Minister
for Social Welfare Yusuf Kalla and several other House of
Representatives legislators, including Taufikurrahman Saleh of
the National Awakening Party.

Yusuf referred to himself as the President's envoy, who is
tasked with visiting athletes who were donning the national
colors at the biennial event.

"We (the government) will always appreciate and be proud of
our athletes, who despite some limitations have managed to
achieve quite impressive results," Yusuf said during the
function.

Also present were Indonesian Sports Council chairman Wismoyo
Arismunandar and the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia A. Hadi
Wayarabi.

Taufik did not make an official statement at the lunch. He
handed the cash bonus, wrapped in a brown envelope, to Wismoyo,
who represented the national team.

It remains unclear as to whether the donations will be
distributed to all participating athletes and coaches. (nvn)