The good, the bad and the ugly

The good, the bad and the ugly

JAKARTA (JP): As the competition wound down, The Jakarta Post
canvassed opinion across the city to find out what people thought
of the region's 19th biennial sporting festival.

Azwar Anas, head of the closing ceremony committee and
coordinating minister for people's welfare: The Games went as we
planned. I'm happy about it, but I hope that the next Games will
be much better than what we did here.

Competing is not based on medals won, but on the spirit of
togetherness among the athletes. Indonesia focused on this
camaraderie.

Usman Arifin, a baseball cap seller in Senen, Central Jakarta;
My profit usually ranges between Rp 40,000 (US$11.4) and Rp
50,000 a day, but I got more than Rp 100,000 during the Games.

Maybe people need my hats to protect them from the sun while
watching the events.

Edwin Karuwal, a journalist from afternoon daily Suara
Pembaruan: The events were poorly organized, a mess. Many
journalists, both local and foreign, could not cover the events
directly.

Journalists' IDs could not guarantee they could enter the
venues to do their job, but those with connections with officials
inside could easily get in.

Rahmat Hermansyah, a senior high school student in Blok M,
South Jakarta: I only watched the Games because my teachers told
me to.

I didn't want to watch them, especially soccer, because the
situation could have, and did, turn ugly and I don't want to be
trapped in the middle of it.

But my teachers told me to a make a two-page report on
several events, including soccer. What could I say? I'm only a
student.

Jenjira Kerdprasop, 16, an archer from Thailand: I enjoyed
these Games. It was very well organized. That's all I can say.

Hendry Manalanj, head coach of the Philippine archery team:
The SEA Games is very nice. It is well prepared, and I went
through a very fair competition. Everything is well organized,
and the people on the organizing committee are very friendly. I
hope I will encounter the same situation in the next SEA Games.

Graig Nunies, a journalist from Malaysia's Sun daily:
You've got very slow results after every competition. And many of
the schedules were wrong. You've got clowns running the show.
The organizing committee also raised the wrong flag at the Mulia
Hotel, where Malaysian contingents were staying during the Games.

You know what happened when Indonesia's soccer team was
playing against Malaysia? Our women's hockey team watched the
match in a corner of the stadium. All of a sudden a group of
Indonesian soccer fans started throwing things like bottles and
planks -- anything they could get their hands on -- at our
athletes.

Djoko Pramono, Indonesia's training director: Our athletes
have broken many SEA Games records and that proved they achieved
the results from their training. They are outstanding results, I
think.

Lapaene Masara, flyweight gold medalist: This is my first gold
Games medal in the Games, I lost in the qualifying round in
Chiang Mai (the previous Games). I am proud of winning the title
and I would like to dedicate this to my country, and particularly
to my wife.

Soebronto Laras, the Indonesian cycling team manager: I am
satisfied with the results and in particular with the success of
the Indonesian cycling team. We succeeded in taking 14 gold
medals, exceeding our expectations. I regret that yesterday's
soccer was ruined by unrest.

Wismoyo Arismunandar, president of the SEA Games organizing
committee: I would like to send my respects and gratitude to my
beloved athletes since they've fought and won for the country. I
am relieved by the results and how we carried out the
organization. Our gratitude also goes to those who supported the
athletes and filled the venues.