Thailand leaves RI behind in sports

Thailand leaves RI behind in sports

JAKARTA (JP): The development of sports in Indonesia is three years behind Thailand, the overall champion at the just concluded 18th Southeast Asian Games at home in Chiang Mai.

The chairman of the National Sports Council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, said during the opening ceremony of the national badminton championships in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday that host Thailand had prepared for the SEA Games since 1992.

Its training program cost US$1 billion.

Indonesia did not start its training program until April this year.

"There is no other way to bridge the gap. We have to put the brakes on Thailand's progress by improving our performance," Wismoyo said.

Indonesia left Chiang Mai with a paltry 77 golds compared to Thailand's 157 golds.

Wismoyo said he would ask more local entrepreneurs to join a special team set up by the council to collect funds for sports development.

"We want sports organizations to name entrepreneurs as their officials and foster parents," he said.

Citing an example, Wismoyo said that Thailand sent its volleyball team to China using funds provided by "foster parent" entrepreneurs.

"We no longer can count on the government's financial aid," Wismoyo said. He said he expected that the government would give a helping hand in other forms.

"For instance, the government may insert sports into the school curriculum, or give the privilege of not going to school to athletes who have to take part in national training program," he said.

Speaking about badminton, Wismoyo said that the sport remains Indonesia's gold medal hopeful in the upcoming 1996 Olympic Games.

Indonesia collected two gold medals from Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma, as well as two silvers and a bronze, four years ago in Barcelona.

Some 350 players are taking part in the national badminton championships, which started yesterday. The event will wind up on Saturday. (05)