Wismoyo ready to accept blame on SEAG failures
Wismoyo ready to accept blame on SEAG failures
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo
Arismunandar said yesterday he should be held responsible if
Indonesia is defeated in the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang
Mai, Thailand in December.
"I always urge all national athletes not to do anything but
battle it out during the games," Wismoyo said yesterday during a
meeting with representatives of the Jakarta-based sports
journalists association.
"I don't want our sportsmen and women to worry about losing
because it is entirely my responsibility," he added.
Indonesia missed out on the overall championship title for the
first time since 1977 in the biennial event ten years ago when it
finished second behind host Thailand in Bangkok.
The Dec. 9 to Dec. 17 games will contest 28 sports, with 334
gold medals up for grabs. The host team, inspired by the golden
celebration of King Bhumiphol Aduljade's coronation, has vowed to
scoop at least 100 golds, which would hand Indonesia its second
defeat.
"We are only going to pick those athletes who have a strong
determination to win," Wismoyo said. "But don't confuse this way
of life with our Eastern mores, that emphasize a down-to-earth
stance," he added.
Wismoyo was commenting on a journalist who criticized the
council's motto "We have to win", which might inflict major
psychological pressure, instead of boosting morale, on the
athletes.
"I don't think like that. In sports we have no choice but to
show that we are the best," Wismoyo argued.
Whenever Wismoyo, a former Army Chief of Staff, visits the
national athletes being groomed for the games, he psychs them up
by telling them they are facing a do-or-die war.
"Winning a war is not decided during the war itself, but
during the preparations for the war," Wismoyo said, quoting a
renowned adage from Chinese legendary war lord Sun Tzu.
Wismoyo also complained about the government's lack of concern
towards the ongoing preparations for the games.
"The government donated Rp 750 million (US$340,900) out of the
total budget of Rp 18 billion ($8.18 million). Can you believe
that I, a retired officer, have to cover every avenue to make up
such a big deficit?" he said.
Financial aid
The council received a financial aid commitment for national
sports development when it invited 50 business tycoons to a
dinner in the middle of March.
In a very short time following this dinner, the businesspeople
converted their pledges into action by collecting nearly Rp 18
billion to help the council finance preparations for the games.
"That's why a victory is important, to keep their trust,"
Wismoyo said.
No less than 600 athletes were called on to join the
centralized training program, which officially started in April.
The council will announce the final team line-up by Nov. 15, the
deadline for sending in the entry form by name, which is set by
the 18th SEA Games organizing committee.
Indonesia will miss hockey and the newly-introduced rugby
during the games. The council dropped both hockey and rugby from
its list, saying that Indonesia has no medal-winning chances at
all in these two sports.
Thailand decided to host the games in Chiang Mai, a tourist
destination, which is the second biggest city after Bangkok.
Chiang Mai, celebrating its 700th anniversary this year, is the
first non-capital city used to stage the sporting meet. (amd)