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)