Thailand vows to make Games the best event

Thailand vows to make Games the best event

By Robert Soelistyo

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): Host Thailand has vowed to make the
18th Southeast Asian Games, due to begin on Dec. 9, the best
gathering in the 38-year history of the regional sports
extravaganza.

This year will be the first time the event has been held in a
non-capital city.

"In the spirit of brotherhood among the SEA Games Federation
members, Thailand as the host will make the Games the best and
the most successful event," said Santiparb Tejavanija in an
interview with The Jakarta Post in Bangkok yesterday.

Though the Games are to be held in a non-capital city --
Chiang Mai is a hill town some 700 kilometers north of Bangkok --
all preparations have been completed, he said. "All international
standard equipment is already there," he added.

Santiparb, who is the vice chairman of the Technical Committee
of the 18th SEA Games, denied reports that, as the host, Thailand
will stop at virtually nothing to emerge as the overall champion.

"We guarantee that the Games will be staged fair and square
and to let the best athletes win," said Santiparb, who is also
the secretary-general of Thailand's National Olympic Committee.
He received the entry forms of the Indonesian SEA Games
contingent yesterday.

Indonesia, the 1993 overall champion of the Games in
Singapore, submitted yesterday the names of its contingent, which
is made up of 470 athletes, 118 coaches and referees and 79
officials, one day prior to the closing date for the submission
of the forms.

The Indonesian National Olympic Council (KONI) sent a six-
member advance team here, led by Mohammad Sarengat, former KONI
secretary-general. Sarengat is also making the final preparations
for the Indonesian team before it leaves for Chiang Mai on Dec.
6.

"There are still a lot of things to do here, like seeing by
ourselves all venues which will be used for the two-week Games,"
Sarengat said.

He said he accepted what Santiparb had said about fairness in
the holding of the Games.

Santiparb said earlier: "We would not use dirty tricks to
become the overall champion. If there are any shortcomings that
might happen in officiating any event that must be because of
error, as the officials are only human beings."

Boxing

Changing the format of the closing ceremony from the usual
soccer match to 12 boxing finals will not threaten Indonesia's
title defense efforts, Games project officer Ari Sudewo said
earlier in Jakarta.

The finals in boxing, Thailand's most popular sport, are
scheduled to start at about 2 p.m. and will be staged in the
gymnastics stadium, which can accommodate some 4,000 spectators.

"The finals matches will be finished at around 5 p.m.,
followed with the closing ceremony at the main stadium,"
Santiparb said.

To further boost its bid to reclaim the overall title it won
when Bangkok hosted the Games 10 years ago, the Thai government
has declared two weeks of school holidays to coincide with the
Games.

"By doing this, students will have more time to watch and
become the dominant supporters of their favorite athletes,"
Santiparb said.

Soccer

The Games committee yesterday rejected Indonesia's request to
list the number of its soccer team as 20 players, on the basis
that this would be against the 1995 SEA Games rules.

The rules say that each competing team in the soccer
competition will consist of 18 players. Which of the two
Indonesian booters will be dropped from the list should be
decided very soon, since Sunday is the closing date to submit the
entry form by names to the SEA Games committee," Sarengat said.
He said he had contacted KONI headquarters to expedite its
decision as to who will scratched from the list.

Meanwhile Thailand's soccer team manager announced the host's
provisional lineup yesterday. It includes 21 players, but will be
cut to 18 as required by the rules.

The soccer tournament commences five days before the official
opening of the Games.

The starting lineup for the match against Indonesia is:
Wacharapong Somchitr, Sirisak Kadelele, Jakrarach Tonghongsa,
Cherdchai Suawannang, Patanapong Sripramote, Klisada Piendit,
Tawan Sripan, Chukiat Nusalung, Sanao Longsawang, Kiatisak
Senamuang and Natipong Srithong-in.