Indonesians SEA Games favorites in Jakarta

Indonesia will be staging 44 sports in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games and, based on the roster of events, will have a huge edge in the race for the overall championship.

This was the concern raised by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. yesterday after receiving the report of RP SEA Games representative Go Teng Kok on the preparations of Indonesia for the biennial meet to be co-hosted by the nation’s capital Jakarta.

“They (Indonesians) have the edge in several sports that were chosen,” said Cojuangco of the host country which placed third overall behind Thailand and Vietnam in 2009 in Laos.

At least half of the events will be held in Palembang, capital city of South Sumatra Province in Indonesia with others scheduled in Jakarta.
    
Cojuangco said the Indonesians are favorites in  weightlifting, badminton, fin swimming, karatedo, cycling, archery and athletics.

The Indonesians, who last won the overall championship when they hosted the 1997 edition, are also strong in the combat sports of wushu, wrestling, pencak silat, taekwondo, judo and tarung derajat, a Sundanese martial art. 

The addition of lesser-known disciplines such as kenpo, vovinam, petanque, roller skating, water skiing, wall climbing, contract bridge and paragliding will also contribute to Indonesia’s overall success, Cojuangco noted.

“The host country will come out very strong. But who knows, we might pull off some surprises,” Cojuangco said.

“Our performance will all depend on the preparations,” he added.

The Philippines finished fifth in Laos and Cojuangco said he expects a better showing in Palembang, Indonesia’s oldest city built on the banks of Musi River, now that the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission have committed to working together closely.