The Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry is planning
to bid for the
2019 Asian Games.
The move, however, has received different reactions from the republic's athletes and sports associations.
The Indonesian
Government was asked to give the matter deep thought, in terms of when
to host a bigger event, given the fact that no evaluation of the 2011
SEA Games had been made.
Indonesia's number one beach volleyball
player Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro said the government needed to start
preparations early to avoid the various delays which plagued the 2011
SEA Games.
"We have heard so many complaints from athletes of
other countries over the quality of food served in the athletes’ village
during the event.
"Morover, the menu did not have much variety
and some foreign athletes even found worms in their dish! What was that
about,?” he asked.
Koko, who has competed in several multi-sporting events, also regretted the bad transportation services at the recent games.
"In my past experiences during several SEA Games, Asian Games or Asian Beach Games, basic services were all well managed.
"In Thailand, they had everything we needed in the athletes’ village, so we did not have to go out [of the complex].
"Indonesians tend to procrastinate, it also happened during the SEA
Games. The government needs to prepare better, because it’s us who are
shamed when we’re not ready as host,” he noted.
The 2011 SEA Games was considered successful in terms of sporting achievements. However, the organisers were taunted with complaints over
the lack of venue preparations which affected many events and
schedules, and even the accomodation of athletes and officials.
However, Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng reaffirmed it was
about time for Indonesia, who hosted the
1962 Asian Games, to host another
Asian Games.
Ministry secretary Djoko Pekik Irianto said the
ministry had set about fulfilling the necessary procedures for a new
competition bid.
Indonesian Cycling Association head Phanny
Tanjung said, hosting international sporting games in two cities meant a
lot to both organisers and participants.
"Jakarta is a
well-developed city, especially in sports infrastructure. Instead of
taking such a huge risk by appointing a less-developed city, why not
hold it in Jakarta? It is realistic."
In the 2011 SEA Games, Indonesia organised the biennial games in two cities, namely Jakarta and Palembang.