Events for Games not final until Feb. 25: KOI

The Indonesian Olympics Council (KOI) denied accusations by Malaysian sports associations that it axed several sports Malaysia was favored to win at the 2011 South East Asian (SEA) Games.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, KOI’s head of foreign affairs Indra Kartasasmita denied there were complaints, saying the final decision on the disciplines and number of events staged would only be made on Feb. 25.

“There is no such thing as a complaint or protest over the number or type of events for the Games,” Indra said. “There are, however, proposals. Participants to the SEA Games are allowed to propose any discipline and event for the Games, but the final decision will likely be announced on Feb. 25.”

Malaysia’s Bernama news agency reported Tuesday that a number of Malaysian sports associations were bitterly disappointed to have their disciplines been axed from the Games and had urged the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to act quickly.

These associations called the OCM to intervene after billiards, snooker and women’s soccer were among those cut, Bernama reported.

“Indeed, we did not propose including women’s soccer in the Games. But I have heard that Singapore or Malaysia would propose it,” Indra said, referring to the next Friday’s meeting in Bali.

Bernama also reported that shooting, cycling and sailing events were also among those affected in the Nov. 11-25 event in Palembang and the organizing committee opted instead to include bridge, paragliding, roller-skating, wall climbing and the Vietnamese martial art vovinam, among other events.

National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) secretary Jasni Shaari said the host nation’s decision to drop a number of sports and events that Malaysia was favored to dominate was “unfair”.

“We have informed the OCM and hope it will act quickly and firmly to reinstate the events. Not only Malaysia but Thailand and the Philippines also face the same predicament,” he told Bernama.

The current number of sports stands at 43 comprising 536 different events.

Previously, Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng said there were no “unfair” decisions for the Games.

“In sports event such as this, each participant is allowed to express its ideas and proposals during the [Feb. 25] meeting. All things decided in that meeting will surely be based on the agreement of all participants,” he said.

— JP/ Niken Prathiv - The Jakarta Post | Thu, 02/17/2011 11:17 AM | Sports