Where's The Famous Aremania?

They won the league last year with a spectacular 5-1 victory at the Bung Karno Stadium in front of 45,000 of their travelling supporters. They have been frquently crowned best supporters in the country. But now, when things ain't going so well what has happened to the famous Aremania? Check out their recent attendances with the most home games at the top. Their last two attendance have been bloody awful doubly so when we consider Arema are one of the teams who have to rely on their own resources to pay their way.

v Deltras 10,916 (local derby)

v PSPS 9,258

v Persija 32,597 (love in between fans)

v Persib 19,382

v Sriwijaya 20,052

v Persiwa 24,452

v Persipura 36,994

v Persiba 19,238

v Pelita Jaya 24,510

v Semen Padang 10,396

v Persijap 14,751

The fans didn't even give the AFC Champions League much of a warm welcome judging by these attendances

v Jeonbuk Motors 30,000

v Shandong 5,600

v Cerezo Osaka 4,000

The Arema fans have shown their loyalty in the past but when the chips are down they do seem to fade away. If Arema fans can't be bothered then what does that say about the rest of the league?

Each game you go to in Indonesia, be it Arema or Persitara, you'll see a banner saying sampai mati, till death (or till I die like the English version) or Loyaltis Tanpa Batas, ( loyalty without limits or unlimited loyalty).

But we don't see the small print that says "As Long As We Win).

Persipura Edge Closer To ISL Title

Yeap, it's still going on, hard though it is to believe. Why not many games in May? Who knows...

PSPS v Pelita Jaya 1-0 (Junaidi) 10,975

Persiba v Persib 2-0 (Khairul Amri, Bahtiar) 4,873

Sriwijaya v Persija 3-3 (Keith Kayamba, Budi Sudarsono 2; Bambang Pamungkas, Agu Casmir, Greg Nwokolo) 15,101

Arema v Deltras 3-0 (Yongki Aribowo 2, Roman Chhmelo) 10,916

Persela v Persipura 0-1 (Titus Bonai) 10,015

1 - Persipura 23 15 6 2 55-18 51

2 - Semen Padang 24 11 9 4 42

3 - Persija 23 12 5 5 45-25 41

4 - Arema 24 11 7 6 38-23 40

5 - Persisam 25 12 3 10 33-39 39

20 - Boaz Solossa (Persipura)

16 - Edward Wilson Junior (Semen Padang)

14 - Aldo Baretto (Persiba)

12 - Bambang Pamungkas (Persija), Julio Lopez (Persisam)

Young Lions Run Ends

You never know what you're oing to get with Gombak United. Before last night's game with Geylang United they had won six and drawn six of their opening 15 games. Well, now they have lost seven so figure them to win their next game. Geylang defeated them 1-0 thanks to Vasile Ghindau's second half penaty. Both teams had players red carded in the game at Bedok Stadium.

In last night's other SLeague game Young Lions scored twice but it wasn't enough to stave off defeat against Albirex Niigata because they hadn't read the script. They only went and scored four! It ended Young Lions best run of the season that had seen them win their last two games of the season.

How did the fans respond to two games on one night? Well, SLeaue official attendances bear as much resemblance to reality as a day with Jack Warner but they do at least serve as indicators of trends.

Albirex attracted 1,338 while Geylang brought in 970. People who actually bought tickets make up a small proportion of that number.

Not Getting It

So this pro reform group in the PSSI, you know, them what supported Nurdin until he quit and have now decided football needs reform? Well, they have decided to keep supporting George Toisutta in his bid to lead the PSSI claiming he is the only person to take football into an era without government subsidy.

These reformers, who were not reformers a few months back, are insistent George is the man and are continuing to face down FIFA who recently announced the PSSI has another month to sort itself out or face suspension 1st July. Indeed it is only FIFA's 'difficulties' at the present time which seems to be keeping the Indonesians in a position to still attempt to hold elections.

While these people who have just discovered reform hold the game to ransom Indonesia is no position to ready itself for the World Cup qualifiers against Turkmenistan in July. Other nations are arranging friendlies to help them prepare while the PSSI is stuck in institutional inertia with no one to make decisions are sign cheques.

It seems the pro reform group are more than happy to sacrifice Indonesia's good work in last year's AFF Cup and see their national team banned from the World Cup qualifiers to satisfy their own lust for power.

Jorg Still Keen On Indonesia

Jorg Steinbrunner is not put off Indonesian football after his short spell with Medan Chiefs where he was given the heave ho for refusing to accept interference in team affairs. The German who also coached Woodlands Wellington and Sengkang Punggol is reported locally to interesting Divisi Utama side Persikabo who are already looking ahead to the new season. Whenever it may start!

Confusion Surrounds LPI Future

Again claims are being made that the breakaway league, the Liga Primer Indonesia, will not continue after the mid season break. Again though the claim is being made by PSM which doesn't seem to stop them being linked with Edward Wilson Junior and Pierre Njanka.

Yesterday, on Twitter so it must be true (!), one of the foreign players asked the LPI spokesman who regularly tweets and exhorts people to change the game what was happening with LPI, PSSI and FIFA. The response? Ask one of your team mates with a 'ha ha ha' thrown in for good measure.

The fact that said team mate didn't speak much English and that said foreigner was no longer in country didn't seem to matter. Also the flack that the PSSI, and now FIFA, have come under attack for their opaqueness and their overbearing attitude didn't seem to come into the equation.

Now obviously there may have been a subsequent private correspondence between the two but the initial response to a sensible question does beggar belief especially considering the whole spiel that comes out of the LPI about emulating the best western leagues.

Timor Leste Deny WC Qualifier In Nepal

The Nepali FA had recently claimed both legs of their World Cup Qualifier would be played in Kathmandu, Nepal. Timor Leste lacks any kind of stadium that meets FIFA standards, whatever they maybe (!), and in the last qualifying campaign played Hong Kong In Bali.

In an email to the Nepal FA they said that they wanted to use Maguwoharjo Stadium in Yogyakarta, usually used by PSS Sleman.

In more Nepali news it looks like ormer Totteham defender Graham Roberts could well stay on as coach there though nothing has been signed yet.

Big Boys Don't Scare Tanjong Pagar

SLeague new boys Tanjong Pagar United have only scored six goals in their opening 14 games and one of them came in their only win so far, away to Woodlands Wellington. Doesn't look too good, does it?

Until you look at who they scored against;

v SAFFC 1-2

v Tampines Rovers 1-4

v SAFFC 2-2

v Home United 1-3

Their next two games? Against Tampines Rovers and Etoile!

They should be ok as long as their foreigners are playing. In fact the only Singaporean to have scored for the Jaguars is Razaleigh Khalik...and he plays for SAFFC!

Thailand's Relegation Battle

With the TPL long destined for Buriram PEA time to look at the relegation struggle in Thailand.

Good news for Thai Port fans as back to back home wins have seen them climb away from the drop zone. I wonder if the six goals in those two games were linked by any chance to salaries getting paid? But they won't be breathing any easier there because a record of five wins, five draws and five defeats with 16 goals scored and conceded by look a mathematician's wet dream but coach Sasom, whether he stays or leaves, won't be fooled.

Goals are at a premium down there with seven out of the bottom eight averaging less than a goal a game, Chiang Rai United being the only exception thanks in no small measure to Wasan Natasan, the second top scorer in the TPL who has hit nine of their 17 goals.

Talking new boys newly promoted Sri Racha are bottom while fellow newbies Khon Kaen are second bottom separated by Raj, or is it Siam, Navy.

We should never make assumptions in the whacky world of South East Asian football but let's have a laugh and assume three teams will get relegated this year from the TPL which, apparently, ends on Christmas Day.

These then are the teams in those slots

16 - Khon Kaen 15 3 3 9 14-30 12

17 - Raj Navy 15 2 5 8 11-28 11

18 - Sri Racha 15 2 4 9 10-21 10

Bottom club Sri Racha's next two games they will think are winnable, at home to 15th placed TTM Phichet, without a win away from home all season and just one point from their travels, before they make the short journey to take on Raj Navy in the last game before the mid season break.

Khon Kaen have a tougher couple of games with 4th placed Bangkok Glass at home before ending away to a resurgent Thai Port.

Things are so tight down that end of the table, Thai Port's climb based on back to back wins will give everyone hope they can emulate that feat. But be sure that come the transfer window all the strugglers will be looking for that striker whose goals, like Wasan up north, can just keep their heads out of the dreaded relegation places.

Either that or hope someone somewhere unilaterally decides to do without relegation this year...on purely football terms you understand!

Malaysian Groundhopping!

Anybody know how to get to Majlis Perbandaran Selayang Stadium, capacity 11,098 (!) using public transport and, more importantly, how to get back after a game?

Malaysia insists on the daft 8.45 pm kick offs which makes things difficult if you rely on buses or trains especially when stadiums aren't alwaya that close to facilities.

So far the best way I've found to go to a game in Malaysia is stay in Singapore and cross the border to go see Johor at Larkin Stadium!

CHAMPIONS!!!

Malaysia Premier League

1 - Selangor PKNS 20 17 3 0 49-5 54

2 - Sarawak 20 13 3 4 49-16

3 - Sime Darby 20 10 4 6 22-11

Well, it doesn't get more convincing than that, does it? Still two games left to play

including Sarawk v PKNS!

Of course Malaysia, in common with neighbouring Indonesia, do have a habit of deciding at the last minute to do away with relegation/promotion at the end of the season, I guess it depends on which team finishes at the bottom. I'm sure such decisions are taken purely for footballing reasons

July Good Time For EPL Fans In Malaysia

13/07 - Malaysia XI v Arsenal

21/07 - Malaysia Select v Chelsea

Also rumours Liverpool may come over as well. No sign of Manchester United which could lead to questions being asked in parliament...

SAFFC Win Big To Stay In Hunt

Balestier Khalsa v Geylang United 3-1 (Kim Kwang Young 2, OG; Amy Recha) 858

Woodlands Wellington v SAFFC 1-5 (Goh Swee Swee; OG, Mislav Kaoglan, Fazrul Nawaz 3) 681

Home United v Tanjong Pagar 3-1 (Frederic Mendy2, Ashraf Rashid; Kim Jong Oh) 1,441

1 - Home United 16 11 2 3 40-15 35

2 - Tampines Rovers 14 10 3 1 30-11 33

3 - SAFFC 14 9 2 3 30-16 29

Tonight sees Tampines play Tanjong Pagar with victory against the cellar dwellers taking them back to the top of the SLeague.

12 - Frederic Mendy (Home United), Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers)

11 - Mislav Karoglan (SAFFC)

Aceh To Host Mini Tournament?

Anybody know anything about a mini tournament to be held in Aceh next month? Possibly featuring teams from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia?

The Biggest Story Of Recent Days

And no, it's not me winning gold at a tug of war or getting ratted all weekend, can Persiba Bantul survive in the Indonesia Super League? Read about it in the Jakarta Globe why don't you...

Welcome To The Party

It's not often Indonesia leads the world in anything beyond natural disasters, man made disasters and boasting the world's largest Muslim population...what, you never knew that? How remiss of CNN and BBC not to mention that every time they mention the place.

For the last couple of years at least Indonesians have been clamouring for a reform of their national football association, known locally as the PSSI (which of course is an anagram of piss). The reasons are like the leaves on a tree but for starters include having a convicted felon running the game from behind bars for a while. At the time FIFA, and the AFC, did nothing which of course implies acit support at the very least.

It's worth remembering that small titbit as both Sepp Blatter and Mohammed Bin Hammam squirm under the glare of corruption allegations brought about by England's failed World Cup bid and Qatar's successful one.

Incompetency, abuse of power and political savvy are prequisites for positions of power in the world we live in and there is no reason why FIFA, AFC and PSSI should be any different. But does that explain how Indonesia was able to host the Asian Cup in 2007 with a convicted corrupter in charge?

For a long time it seemed Indonesian football fans where pissing in the wind. Oh, do I like that! Then Indonesia's World Cup bid, anyone remember that, fell by the way side with the government saying they wouldn't support the effort to bring the 'biggest show on earth' to their country, saying they would rather the PSSI concentrated on improving the performance of the local league and the national team before moving on to world domination.

With the government now actively saying the PSSI needed reforming things started moving. A special football congress was held in Malang which gave recommendations to the PSSI to clean up their act. The PSSI said thank you very much for your suggestions but we're charged with running the game in Indonesia and we will do what we see fit. and of course they were right. Because they had FIFA's support.

The calls for reform grew stronger with more and more people getting involved. The fans were always there but now politicians, their finely tuned antennae sensing votes saw a band wagon worth jumping on adding their voices to the growing calls for change.

PSSI continued to do nothing and cries to FIFA for help were ignored.

Then came the Liga Primer Indonesia with its slogan Change The Game. Funded by a wealthy businessman they attracted three teams from the official PSSI sanctioned leagues and started kicking a ball in January of this year. PSSI responded by taking a large number of officials to Qatar for the Asian Cup and Bali for a chat. The PSSI members, those with the vote, remained firmly behind the leadership, Nurdin, while the PSSI threatened to deport foreign players and coaches involved in the rebel league.

FIFA too firmly opposed the LPI and said they would under no circumstances talk with them. Without PSSI recognition the LPI was just a well paid pub league in the eyes of Sepp Blatter and co.

2011 is an election year in the PSSI and a congress was held in Palembang to elect a new leader. Various candidates had been disqualified by a PSSI authorised committee including a general and the man with the money behind the LPI leaving only two candidates, the incumbent and a scion of a wealthy and influential political/business family long involved in Indonesian football.

The congress ended in a PR disaster for PSSI. A FIFA delegate in town to attend the meeting didn't attend. The PSSI claimed he decided the scenes of mayhem were too much and he had gone home. The delegate replied by saying the PSSI had prevented him from attending.

The fiasco in Palembang had finally shown the incompetence of the leadership to a wider audience. From a position of strength, they had the full unqualified support of FIFA despite Nurdin's conviction, they had become pariahs and the leadership soon scurried away from the scene humiliated.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, there was a reform group in the PSSI membership demanding the general and the businessman be reinstated as candidates. A reform group that was not heard from during the Qatar and Bali trips. A second attempt at setting up an election also ended up in disaster with FIFA and AFC delegates looking on bemused.

And that's where we stand now. Indonesia is on the precipice of expulsion from FIFA competitions as it struggles to elect new leaders to head the PSSI. Yet had FIFA acted swiftly when Nurdin was first convicted of corruption charges and had change been effected then we would not be in this mess now. FIFA has seen fit to suspend Brunei, tiny Brunei, over allegations of political interference in the running of their FA yet they have been strangely quiet over Indonesia and the convicted felon running the game there.

Both Blatter and Bin Hammam have promised to clean up the game and make it more transparent. Perhaps they can start by explaining why they saw fit to support the PSSI while Nurdin was behind bars.

The spotlight is now on FIFA of course with allegations of corruption flying around and the odious members rushing to cover their individual arses in the wake of charge and counter charge. But let's understand why this is happening. England and the US bids failed. They are in effect kicking up a storm in the role of sore losers. Had they won we would not be involved in this mud slinging now. Everyone, it seems, accepts impropriety as the norm. Until they lose out.

It's great that FIFA is under the spotlight at last for its murky transactions carried out in dingy, dark lit corridors among the rats and cockroaches. What would have been better though would have been if the whistles had been blown, in unison, during the campaign. Withdraw then, on a point of principal, and you have the moral high ground. Complain after the fact and you sound like a sore loser.

Now we have sections of the international media calling for FIFA to be reformed and for the elections to be cancelled. For us, here in Indonesia, it's deja vu.

Timor Leste World Cup Preparations

Andy's 1890

The FIFA World Cup Qualification had just announced the draw for the Asians football teams. Timor Leste were put against Nepal, the Himalayas Nation. Nepal whose rank only 172 ; meanwhile, Timor Leste only rank 201.

The first leg of this tournament will be at in Kathmandu, Nepal which have 42 degrees in temperature. This is a challenge for Timorese players who live in humid and hot weather. The first leg are set in June 29. 2011. Orlando Mendes, a deputy general of Federacao de Futebol de Timor Leste said that, our players will be warm by wearing a long sleeve football shirt and we will arrive in Nepal, two weeks earlier so that we could use to the weather in Nepal.

Timor Leste seleccao’s preparation for this world cup, would start in April 27, 2011; They are going to spent their training in Dili for three weeks and then they go to Jogjakarta for training and exhibition games with Indonesia’s football clubs.

29 Players will be participated in the World Cup squad, 16 players are from overseas and 13 players from local. This squad will be using Maguwoharjo Stadium, which hold 30,000 capacities, for training and second leg.

Coach Antonio Carlos Viera will be joining the seleccao in April 25, 2011. The seleccao will left Jogjakarta in June 13, 2011 and will be arriving in Kathmandu on Morning June 15, 2011. Here are the Exhibition games and the list of Players.

Exhibition Games

Persip Pekalongan, May 27, 2011 -

Persija Jakarta, May 30, 2011, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

Arema FC, June 3, 2011, Kanjuruhan Stadium

Persipura Jayapura, June 8, 2011, Maguwoharjo Stadium

First Leg FWCQ: Nepal Vs Timor Leste, June 29, 2011, Dasarath Rangasala Stadium

Second Leg FWCQ : Timor Leste Vs Nepal, July 3, 2011, Maguwoharjo Stadium (Check this story for an alternate venue...)

The Squad List

GK 1, Diamantino Leong ( Adi), October 8, 1986, FC Rusa Fuik (Timor Leste)

GK 14, Rodrigo Cruz, November 13, 1984, GD Mealhada (Portugal)

GK 29, Leonel, July 5, 1986, FC Porto Taibesi (Timor Leste)

DF 2, Cabita Lebere, August 15, 1980, FC Rusa Fuik (Timor Leste)

DF 6, Chris Nunes, January 6, 1985, Marconi Stallions FC ( Australia)

DF 10, De Jesus, August 10, 1987, FC Porto Taibesi ( Timor Leste)

DF 12, Afonso Carson, May 16, 1987, Gwangju Gwangsan FC ( S. Korea)

DF 18, Ed Dino, Febuary 9, 1983, Bandung Jaya (Indonesia)

DF 20, Ede Araujo, April 29, 1988, Persik Kediri ( Indonesia)

DF 22, Ernesto Da Costa Pinto ( Eney), January 3, 1984 , UTP FC ( Malaysia)

DF 24, Juvito, January 27, 1987, Ad. Dili Leste ( Timor Leste)

DF 26, Miguel Santos Soares, July 4, 1984, Ad. Dili Leste ( Timor Leste)

MF 5, Americo Ximenes, October 11, 1986, Creveela FC ( Northern Ireland)

MF 7, Cipriano Branco, August 24, 1985, FC B River ( Brazil)

MF 9, Emmanuel Nonny, December 25, 1986, Persibo Bojenegra ( Indonesia)

MF 11, Eusebio, June 9, 1985, FC Porto Taibesi (Timor Leste) ( Captain)

MF 13, Helder Mota Ricardo (Eric), August 1, 1977, Ad Dili Leste ( Timor Leste)

MF 15, Jose Joao Pereira,October 9, 1981, Ad. Dili Leste ( Timor Leste)

MF 17, Robert M. Aja, July 7, 1985, Portuguese Youth FC ( Malaysia)

MF 25, Sidonio Augusto De Jesus ( Donny),July 18, 1981, Grants Braes FC ( New Zealand) ( C0- Captain)

MF 27, Torres Vidigal, January 19, 1990, Portuguese Youth FC ( Malaysia)

MF 28, Vicente Ramos Freitas, December 28, 1985, Ad Dili Oeste ( Timor Leste)

FW 3, Anggisu,March 16, 1993, FC Porto Taibesi ( Timor Leste)

FW 4, Emillo da Silva ( Ary), April 5, 1982, Ad. Dili Oeste ( Timor Leste) ( Third Captain)

FW 8, Ermera, April 1, 1985, Bandung Jaya ( Indonesia)

FW 16, Felipinho Nessa, March 5, 1978, Portuguese Youth FC ( Malaysia)

FW 19, Franco Triana, December 18, 1984, Nuevo Talento FC ( Colombia)

FW 21, Quito, October 25, 1986, Ad. Dili Leste ( Timor Leste)

FW 23, Rossy Salazar, February 7, 1986, Real Mataram ( Indonesia)

Pembangunan Wisma Atlet SEA Games Capai 66 Persen

PALEMBANG--MICOM: Pembangunan wisma atlet untuk peserta SEA Games sekarang ini sudah lebih 66 persen yang ditargetkan selesaipertengahan Juli 2011.

Sekarang ini pekerja melaksaakan tugas secara maksimal dan bekerja hingga malam hari untuk mencapai target tersebut, kata Gubernur Sumsel H Alex Noerdin dihadapan panitia kerja pengawasan SEA Games di Palembang, Kamis (26/5).

Panitia kerja dari Komisi X DPR RI itu dipimpin Prof dr Mahyuddin NS berkunjung ke Palembang untuk mengevaluasi dan ingin mendapatkan masukan permasalahan yang dihadapi sekarang ini. Lebih lanjut gubernur mengatakan, memang, wisma atlet tersebut pernah bermasalah akibat terjadinya penyelewengan dana pembangunan tempat menginap peserta SEA Games itu.

Dengan adanya permasalahan itu pihaknya langsung meninjau kelapangan untuk memberikan motivasi kepada para pekerja supaya pengerjaannya dimaksimalkan, kata dia . Melalui semangat yang tinggi itu sehingga pekerja tidak berpengaruh akibat adanya pemberitaan wisma atlet tersebut, kata dia.

Menurut gubernur, bahkan hingga sekarang ini sudah selesai lebih dari 66 persen yang dijadwalkan pertengahan Juli mendatang sudah selesai. Wisma atlet yang menghabiskan dana sekitar Rp200 miliar itu mulai dikerjakan pertengahan Desember 2010, kata dia pula.

Dia berharap, semua pihak mendukung pengerjaan fasilitas pesta olahraga se-Asia Tenggara mendatang sehingga semuanya selesai tepat waktu.

Ketua panitia kerja pengawasan SEA Games, Prof dr Mahyuddin NS mengatakan, memang sewkatu kunjungan pertama pada Desember 2010 pihaknya masih mengkhawatirkan pembangunan wisma atlet tersebut. Hal itu karena di lokasi pembangunan wisma itu masih alang-alang dan belum kelihatan pembangunan, kata dia.

Namun, dalam kunjungan kedua pada Maret lalu pihaknya merasa kagum karena wisma sudah berdiri dan sudah terealisasi 24 persen.Jadi pihaknya merasa optimistis pembangunan wisma tersebut berjalan lancar dan selesai tempat waktu, ujar dia pula.

Bahkan para menteri juga merasa kagum atas perjuangan gubernur dalam menjadi tuan rumah SEA Games, tambah dia. (Ant/OL-2)

Satlak Prima Panggil

SEA GAMES

JAKARTA (Suara Karya): Guna menghidupkan koordinasi dalam persiapan SEA Games XXVI 2011, Satuan Pelaksana Program Indonesia emas (Satlak Prima) memanggil para pelatih dan manajer seluruh cabang olahraga, Rabu (25/5).

Tujuan pemanggilan itu tak lain untuk mendapatkan gambaran pasti sudah sejauh mana persiapan yang dilakukan dalam upaya pemenangan SEA Games yang akan berlangsung 11-22 November mendatang itu.

Komandan Satlak Prima Tono Suratman mengatakan, koordinasi ini perlu dibangun sebagai perbandingan dengan negara lain. Sebab, 11 negara lain yang akan terlibat dalam SEA Games juga sedang mempersiapkan diri, namun tidak semua melakukan try out, karena mereka memiliki fasilitas olahraga yang memadai.

"Singapura tidak melakukan try out karena mereka memiliki kolam renang yang kualitasnya setara dengan kolam renang untuk Olimpiade," kata Tono kepada pelatih dan Manajer SEA Games di Jakarta, kemarin.

Yang menjadi perhatian Tono dalam pertemuan kemarin tidak hanya masalah persiapan atlet, tetapi masalah kesehatan juga menjadi sorotan serius. Ia menilai, kesehatan merupakan salah satu syarat untuk meraih kejayaan. Hanya atlet yang sehatlah yang mampu bertanding maksimal untuk mencapai kemenangan.

"Di sini peran manajer sangat penting, termasuk memperhatikan masalah kesehatan atletnya, karena manajer itu adalah kepanjangan tangan dari satlak di setiap cabang. Bahkan, kalau Satlak berteriak siap satu kali, manajer harus bisa tiga kali. Artinya, para manajer betul-betul mengawal setiap program latihan yang dibuatnya bersama pelatih," kata Tono.

Lebih jauh Tono mengatakan, faktor penunjang untuk menciptakan atlet yang sehat, seperti nutrisi pada menu atlet, juga sangat perlu diperhatikan. Pasalnya, dalam beberapa kali peninjauan dan tes kesehatan ditemukan sejumlah atlet yang terindikasi mengidap penyakit.

Sekum Satlak Prima Hamidi menambahkan, pelatih dan Manajer SEA Games tidak perlu gelisah dengan langkah-langkah yang akan ditempuh ke depan. Satlak Prima yang dibentuk sekarang ini tidak hanya bicara untuk lima tahun, tetapi berkelanjutan untuk beberapa tahun ke depan, termasuk kalau atlet sudah tidak berprestasi lagi.

"Mungkin selama ini banyak atlet yang gamang, setelah tidak menjadi atlet akan menjadi apa. Untuk menjawab pertanyaan seperti itu, Prima kini sudah membentuk yang namanya Wadah Bina Karier. Lembaga ini nantinya akan mengurus segala persolan yang dihadapi para pejuang olahraga nasional, termasuk masa depan atlet," ucap Hamidi.

Khusus menyangkut persiapan atlet SEA Games, Hamidi menganggap perlu adanya pelatih asing. Pelatih asing ini biasanya dapat membuat program yang baik, sekaligus bisa pula dimanfaatkan oleh pelatih lokal untuk mentransfer ilmu yang dimiliki pelatih asing. (Markon Piliang)

Bonus SEA Games Rp300 Juta Peraih Emas SEA Games 2011

http://www.jpnn.com/read/2011/05/26/93186/Bonus-SEA-Games-Rp300-Juta-

JAKARTA- Ini adalah stimulus bagus yang ditawarkan KONI/ KOI bagi para atlet untuk meraih hasil bagus di SEA Games 2011. Pasalnya, mereka mengisyaratkan bakal memberikan bonus yang lebih besar dibanding SEA Games 2009 lalu.

"Bonusnya nanti mencapai Rp 300 juta. Ini demi mewujudkan target merebut juara umum di SEA Games mendatang," terang salah satu sumber di lingkaran Prima kemarin (24/5).

Nominal tersebut diharapkan bakal meningkatkan semangat para atlet untuk memberikan prestasi bagi timnas. Paslanya, target yang dipatok Indonesia di SEA Games nanti tidaklah main-main, yakni juara umum.

Meski begitu, pemerintah belum bersedia memberikan klarifikasi mengenai kabar tersebut. Menpora Andi Alifian Mallarangeng menyatakan bahwa nominal bonus minimal akan sama dengan SEA Games 2009 silam. "Yang pasti jumlahnya tidak akan turun. Kalau bisa kami memang ingin meningkatkannya," ucap Andi.

Hanya, Kemenpora sampai saat ini masih menghitung berapa dana yang dimiliki untuk mengguyur bonus bagi para atlet tersebut. Namun, Kemenpora berjanji bahwa bonus yang diterima atlet perorangan dengan beregu bakal sama.

Itu memberikan angin segar bagi para atlet yang bertanding di cabor kelompok. Perahu naga, misalnya. Cabor yang menyumbangkan tiga emas di Asian Games 2010 tersebut memiliki komposisi 24 personel.

"Intinya pemerintah bakal memfasilitasi para atlet untuk mendapatkan hasil terbaik sekaligus mewujudkan target juara umum tersebut," tambah lelaki asal Makassar, Sulsel tersebut.

Pemerintah sendiri mengharapkan bisa merebut 150 emas di multieven olahraga tertinggi di Asia Tenggara tersebut. Jika jumlah itu tercapai, keinginan Indonesia merebut juara umum bakal terwujud. (ru)

Rahmad Bertekad Lanjutkan Program Tim Nasional U-23

Rahmad Darmawan. TEMPO/Aditia Noviansyah

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Pelatih tim sepak bola nasional U-23, Rahmad Darmawan, bertekad melanjutkan program tim nasional yang sudah dimulai sejak awal Mei lalu. Rahmad meminta para pemain tetap fokus mempersiapkan diri menghadapi kejuaraan multievent SEA Games 2011 yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta dan Palembang, 11-22 November 2011.
Berita terkait

* Pembukaan SEA Games akan Berlangsung Megah
* Ledakan Petasan Sambut Kedatangan Oktovianus Maniani di Lembang
* Djoko: Wisma Atlet Harus Selesai Tepat Waktu
* Panitia SEA Games Lanjutkan Pembangunan Tiga Bangunan
* Panitia Siapkan Tema Lagu SEA Games 2011


"Saya akan tetap fokus pada program tim nasional yang sudah disusun. Pencarian untuk lawan uji coba juga masih terus berjalan," kata Rahmad saat dihubungi, Kamis 26 Mei 2011.

Pelatih Persija Jakarta ini berpegang pada Surat Keputusan Satuan Pelaksana Program Indonesia Emas (Satlak Prima) yang menunjuknya sebagai Pelatih Kepala Tim Nasional U-23. "Selama SK belum dicabut, program yang telah disepakati akan tetap berjalan normal," kata mantan pemain tim nasional 1989-1993 dan 1995 ini.

Para pemain tim U-23 yang baru saja mengikuti pelatihan program pembangunan karakter di Markas Kopassus Batujajar, Bandung, Jawa Barat, pertengahan Mei lalu, sekarang ini kembali ke klubnya masing-masing. Sesuai dengan agenda, kata Rahmad, mereka akan kembali dipanggil untuk mengikuti tes seleksi tahap kedua, 24 Juni di Malang.

Rahmad ingin persiapan latihan tim nasional SEA Games tetap berjalan meski nasib persepakbolaan Indonesia masih dibayang-bayangi sanksi Badan Sepak Bola Dunia (FIFA). "Kalaupun sanksi itu turun, saya berharap persiapan untuk SEA Games tetap berlanjut. Kalau tidak menyiapkan diri tiba-tiba sanksi dicabut, kita akan kelabakan," katanya.

Rahmad dikenal sebagai pelatih bertangan dingin. Dalam kariernya sebagai pelatih, ia pernah membawa Persipura Jayapura menjuarai Liga Indonesia (2005), Sriwijaya FC juara Liga Indonesia (musim kompetisi 2007-2008) dan tiga kali juara Copa Indonesia secara berturut-turut 2007-2010. Saat menyanggupi sebagai pelatih tim U-23, ia memasang target bisa meraih medali emas di SEA Games nanti.

RINA WIDIASTUTI

Dua lagi acara masih samar

SELAIN bola sepak, dua lagi acara lumba basikal dan gimnastik mungkin berdepan nasib sama digugurkan daripada dipertandingkan dalam Sukan Sea Palembang, November ini.
Ini berikutan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI) tidak puas hati dengan acara lumba basikal yang dianjur tuan rumah manakala gimnastik pula berdepan masalah apabila persatuan gimnastik negara itu kini digantung Persekutuan Gimnastik Antarabangsa (FIG).

Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata, berbanding gimnastik, kes lumba basikal tampak lebih rumit jika acara itu masih mahu dianjur pada Sukan Sea kali ini.
“Sama ada gimnastik dan lumba basikal akan digugurkan belum diputuskan lagi tapi dua acara ini berdepan masalah untuk dianjurkan. Saya mendapat maklumat Persatuan Gimnastik Indonesia digantung atas sebab kelewatan pembayaran yuran namun perkara itu boleh diselesaikan segera tapi dalam hal lumba basikal kita tak tahu macam mana nak selesaikan.

“UCI tidak berpuas hati kerana tuan rumah mengadakan acara sesuka hati mereka tanpa mengikut standard ditetapkan. Sebagai contoh, mereka mempertandingkan acara 10 kilometer perlumbaan mata untuk lelaki sedangkan jarak itu lebih pendek berbanding perlumbaan mata untuk wanita sejauh 25km.

“UCI sudah tulis surat tapi sehingga kini penganjur tidak beri jawapan. Sebaliknya mereka memberitahu keputusan acara itu dibuat oleh SGF (Persekutuan Sukan Sea) tapi sebenarnya bukan SGF yang buat keputusan,” katanya yang dihubungi Arena Metro semalam.

Apa yang dialami gimnastik dan lumba basikal itu tidak ubah seperti bola sepak yang belum tentu akan disenaraikan apabila badan induk bola sepak antarabangsa Fifa dijangka akan menggantung Persatuan Sepak Bola seluruh Indonesia (PSSI) daripada terbabit dalam sebarang aktiviti peringkat antarabangsa atas masalah dalaman persatuan itu.

Temasya sukan dwi tahunan kali ini akan berlangsung dari 11 hingga 25 November dengan hos utama Palembang akan menganjurkan acara pembukaan dan penutup selain menyediakan venue untuk 22 acara manakala Jakarta akan menjadi tuan rumah 24 acara.
Menurut Kok Chi, MOM dan Majlis Olimpik Singapura sudah membantah acara lumba basikal yang tidak mengikut standard antarabangsa itu daripada dipertandingkan namun pihak tuan rumah enggan berganjak dengan keputusan mereka.

“Terima saja apa yang ditetapkan UCI kerana mereka mempunyai kuasa. Kalau acara itu tidak diiktiraf UCI mana-mana atlet yang bertanding boleh dikenakan tindakan,” katanya.



Harian Metro

As PSSI, So Is FIFA

The words below come from the Guardian and apply to FIFA. They also apply to Indonesia.

Undermined by whistleblowers within and dogged by corruption claims, can football's world body really go ahead with a presidential election when it is so badly in need of reform?

AFC Cup Round Of 16

Abril v Tampines Rovers 1-0

Muang Thong United v Al Ahed 4-0 (Datsakorn Thonglao, Teerasil Dangda, Christian Kouakou, Naruphol) 9,500

Song Lam Nghe An v Persipura 1-3 (Hyguen Hon Viet; Boas Solossa, Ortizan Solossa, Titus Bonai) 5,000

Chonburi v Sriwijaya 3-0 (Fabiano Ney, Therdsak Chaiman, Nattaphong) 6,954

A mixed night for teams from the region. Tampines took their Iraqi hosts to extra time before succumbing while undoubtedly the performance of the night was Persipura's win in Vietnam. Two Thai teams made full use of home advantage to ease through. without Keith Kayamba Sriwijaya threatened little against Chonburi.

Three teams also made it through to last years' Quarter Finals, Muang Thong United, who eventually reached the semis, Thai Port and SHB Da Nang. Three Arab teams in semis, two in final one won the cup, the difficulty of teams from this region getting results in the middle east is all to clear.

The Quarter Finals take place on a home and away basis in September.

Persiba Bantul Champions Divisi Utama

Persiba Bantul were yesterday crowned Divisi Utama Champions after they defeated Persiraja 1-0 at the Manahan Stadium in Solo. It was a short road trip for PaserBumi, the Persiba faithful, from their home base in Bantul, and ultimately an enjoyable one.

1 - Persiba

2 - Persiraja

3 - Mitra Kukar

4 - Persidafon (play off v Bontang?)

Trouble ahead for sprinters who failed to provide urine samples

KUALA LUMPUR: Six national sprinters may land in hot water for failing to provide urine samples for tests at the National Sports Institute (NSI) on Tuesday.

Five of them are members of the women’s relay team – Norjannah Hafiszah Jamaluddin, Nurul Sarah Abdul Kadir, Yee Yi Ling, Siti Zubaidah Adabi and Siti Fatimah Mohamed. The other is male sprinter Mohd Noor Imran.

The six were supposed to leave for Bulgaria on Saturday for a one-month training and competition stint.
The National Sports Council (NSC) director general, Datuk Zolkples Embong, said that the five women underwent medical tests but went missing when their urine samples were required for tests.
He added that Mohd Noor did not show up at all.

“All athletes for overseas stints have to undergo dope tests,” said Zolkples in a press conference, which was also attended by the NSI director, Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz.

“Those who fail to undergo the tests will be barred from competing in local and overseas competitions.”
Zolkples added that they would write to the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) to take action against the sprinters.

“We also want the MAAU to question the national sprint coach, Harun Rasheed, because he is in charge of the six athletes,” he said.

“We (NSC) will stop funding MAAU athletes for overseas trips if the issue is not settled.”
The quartet of Norjannah, Nurul Sarah, Yi Ling and Siti Zubaidah set a new national record for the women’s 4x100m with a time of 45.33 in a meet in Poland last August.

The previous record of 45.37 was set by Anita Ali, G. Shanti, Sajaratuldur Hamzah and Mumtaz Jaafar in the 1989 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

Norjannah, Nurul Sarah, Yi Ling and Siti Zubaidah also competed in the Guangzhou Asian Games last November and they clocked 45.54 for sixth place.



THE STAR

Persipura Shine A Light On Indonesian Football Gloom

These have not been happy days for fans of Indonesian football. The governing body, PSSI, is on a collision course with FIFA and there is a very real chance Indonesia could be banned from all FIFA recognised competitions which includes the World Cup Qualifiers that begin soon.

FA officials have twice humiliated themselves in front of representatives of FIFA as they bitch and scrap to elect a new leadership that will look after their interests and not the interests of the game.

Persipura could have been forgiven for going to Vietnam today for their AFC Cup tie with SLNA not giving a toss. Indonesian clubs have been notoriously poor travellers in Asian club competitions and I for one certainly expected nothing but a thumping for the champions elect domestically.

So I'm dead chuffed to be proved wrong. And how! They not only went there and won, they done their hosts 3-1 which is pretty bloody convincing in any one's book. Goals from Boas Solossa, Ortizan Solossa and Titus Bonai done the deed, all local lads as well.

Persipura can fly back to Indonesia with their heads held high. It's a shame the people who want to try and run the game can't do the same.

Mitra Kukar Are Promoted

After defeating Persidafon 2-1 in he play offs, Mitra Kukar are promoted to the Indonesia Super League for 2011/2012 or whatever bloody format gets adopted next season. Bad tempered affair second half with players from both teams behaving like PSSI officials.

Also promoted are Persiba Bantul and Persiraja who meet later tonight to decide the Champions.

In theory no team will get relegated because three teams walked out the ISL early on leaving 15 teams. Bontang, who will finish 15th, should play off against Persidafon I guess.

You can be sure though that the teams that walked out the ISL, Persibo, Persema and PSM, will whine and bitch if they are not allowed back in should the LPI fold, though that is by no means certain of course.

Arsenal In South East Asia

Given that Arsenal have announced they would play a friendly in Malaysia in July, given I am an Arsenal fan and given that it's my website I thought I write something about Arsenal's previous visits to the region.

First time here was 1968 after a game in Tokyo. We were three years short of a famous double and that team was slowly taking shape under Bertie Mee. We beat a President's XI 6-2 which is interesting because Malaysia is of course a constitutional monarchy so I'm guessing it refers to the President of the Football ssociation.

Arsenal won 6-2 with David Jenkins getting a hat trick, Bobby Gould, David Court and Gordon Simmons? In our line up that day was current assistant manager Pat Rice, currently assisting Liam Brady is David Court, former managers Terry Neill and George Graham plus former Reserve Team manager George Armstrong (RIP).

David Jenkins is one of the few players who made the move from Highbury to White Hart Lane, he was swapped for winger Jimmy Robertson. Also playing in that historic game was John Radford, Bob McNab, Peter Storey, Frank McLintock and Peter Simpson and it you need to Google any of them hang your head in shame!

We returned to Malaysia in 1975 after a season when we nearly suffered the ignominy of relegation. This trip was like a poorly organised backpackers trip with games in KL, Penang, Singapore and Bangkok.

First up in KL was a game against a Malaysian XI and we lost 2-0. Up the road to Penang and a 1-1 against Malaysian Select, Brian Kidd netting for us. Then we were down the peninsula to Singapore and a narrow 3-2 win with Kidd, Alex Cropley, who we spent 18 months trying to sign, and John Radford in front of 40,000.

The tour ended in Bangkok against the Thai national team and e won 3-0. Cropley scored once while Kidd got two.

These were turbulent times in South east Asia, the tour coming hot on the heels of the murderous Khmer Rouge taking over the country and beginning their genocidal regime just hours from Bangkok while Thailand itself was fill with American soldiers and diplomats licking their wounds after having their butts whooped in Vietnam.

July 1977 saw us back in Singapore as part of a trip that took in Australia and saw player indiscipline lead to some players sent home.

We lost 3-1 to Red Star Belgrade in Singapore with our goal coming from Malcolm MacDonald. Pat Rice was back having missed the 1975 trip while Liam Brady, head of youth development today, was in the team. Next game we beat Singapore 5-1 with MacDonald getting a hat trick, Brady and the abominable traitor Stapleton getting one each.

Also featuring on that tour were Sammy Nelson, Richie Powling, John Matthews, and, on his third far east tour George Armstrong.

Details of our tour of Indonesia in 1983 can be found here with some background here but this link leads to rare pictures of the game featuring a young looking Arsenal team plus some Singaporean called Fandi...while pictures of our game in Thailand in 1999, our last tour of the region before Arsene Wenger opted for leisurely outings in the Alps, can be found on Asian Football Pictures. We also played in KL that year but it's a sorry state of affirs when I can recall 1975, Pol Pot and Brian Kidd but can't remember 12 years ago...

Hougang United Statement

We refer to all the newspaper reports (New Paper, Straits Times, etc) dated

24th May 2011 in regard to the above incident and we wanted to clarify as follows:

It is with great regret that such an unpleasant incident would happen during

our home game on 23rd May 2011. We are sorry that the brawling incident happened

in our turf and we want to reiterate that we will not condone such unruly behavior.

We promise that we will interview all our players and get to the bottom of the

matter. We will find out who is/are the culprit/s involved in the fight and will not

hesitate to take disciplinary actions on any guilty player found to play a part in the

unfortunate incident.

We will cooperate fully with FAS in their investigations as we do not tolerate

such acts of violence. Any HGFC players found guilty would be severely penalized

for their wrong doings.

Bumper Crowd Goes Home Disappointed

Over 1,700, officially (!) turned up last night to see Gombak United take on Young Lions and went home muttering and mumbling after seeing the visitors earn a surprise 2-1 win.

Fans were heard complaining that they had come to see the players fighting but they got a football match instead.

It is expected that Straits Times will launch an investigation to find out why there was no fight feeling that yet again Singapore football has besmirched the nation's honour.

One fan was reportedly so furious there was no fight on the pitch that he returned to his HDB and said a rude word to an auntie in a lift. I understand TNP are investigating that outrage.

SLeague Suspend Brawling Teams

The SLeague have responded to the brawl that occurred before the recent Hougang United v Etoile game by postponing games featuring the two teams ahead of the inquiry which will take place 3 June.

The FA chairman says the FA has a zero tolerance policy towards violent conduct on and off the pitch. Maybe, but this is the second incident in less than a year...

Singapore Friendlies

According to Liga Singapura Singapore have lined up four friendlies ahead of their World Cup Qualifiying against either Chinese Taipei or Malaysia.

No mention of the Indonesian friendlies has been made in Indonesia as far as I'm aware.

07/06 v Maldives (H)

29/06 v Indonesia (A)

03/07 v Indonesia (H)

18/07 v Lao (H)

Atlet SEA Games Menjanjikan di Turnamen Tenis Okeshop Internasional

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Para atlet tenis yang dipersiapkan untuk SEA Games XXVI mendatang memberikan hasil menjanjikan di hari pertama turnamen ITF Women's and Men's Circuit Okeshop International, Selasa (24/5).

Pemain tunggal putri Jessy Rompies tidak kesulitan menghadapi rekan senegaranya, Idhun Safaati dan menang 6-2, 6-1. Jessy, yang kini menempati peringkat 433 dunia, merupakan salah satu atlet yang dipersiapkan untuk berlaga di SEA Games yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta dan palembang pada 11-22 Nopember 2011.

Jessy akan dipersiapkan untuk turun di nomor ganda putri dengan Grace Sari Ysidora. Selain mereka, finalis SEA Games Laos 2009 Ayu Fani Damayanti dan Lavinia Tananta juga kembali dipercaya untuk berlaga di pesta olahraga Asia Tenggara itu.

Sayangnya, hasil tidak memuaskan harus didapatkan para pemain muda. Grace yang juga diturunkan di turnamen ini harus langsung tersingkir setelah kalah dari tunggal putri Australia Abbie Myers 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Kemenangan mudah juga didapatkan pemain tunggal putra Sunu Wahyu Trijati. Pemain peringkat 1389 itu mengalahkan Irfandi Hendrawan dengan skor telak 6-0, 6-0. Pemain putra yang juga menjalani ujicoba di turnamen ini adalah Christoper Rungkat. Pemain yang ditempatkan sebagai unggulan kedua ini baru akan memulai perjuangannya hari Rabu (25/5) ini.

Sementara, pemain putra lainnya yang juga turun di Okeshop International ini adalah Seno Hartono Suwandi, David Agung Susanto, dan Aditya Hari Sasongko.

Ketua Umum Pengurus Pusat Persatuan Tenis Lapangan Seluruh Indonesia (PP Pelti) Martina Widjaja menyatakan bahwa turnamen seperti ini akan banyak diikuti oleh para atlet SEA Games. "Untuk latihan bersama dengan banyak atlet dari negara lain, bukan hanya negara peserta SEA Games," katanya.Setidaknya akan ada lima turnamen yang diikuti para atlet ini.

Terkait target perolehan medali, Martina menilai bahwa yang cukup realistis adalah dua emas. "Kami akan mencoba, yang berpeluang besar sepertinya tetap di sektor putri dan mungkin ganda campuran," katanya. Dua tahun lalu, Indonesia meraih emas dari sektor tunggal putri.

EZTHER LASTANIA

Optimis Aquatic Centre Selesai Sesuai Jadwal

Komponen Aquatic Centre didatangkan dari China dan Italia.

VIVAnews - Pembangunan venue Aquatic Centre untuk perhelatan SEA Games 2011 di Palembang sempat diragukan selesai sesuai jadwal. Namun rasa optimis tetap diusung pihak penyelenggara.

Keyakinan ini muncul setelah beberapa komponen penting untuk membangun venue standar internasional telah rampung dikerjakan di Shanghai, China dan Italia. Kini tinggal menunggu dikirim ke Palembang.

Hal ini dipastikan Jhonny Li selaku Regional Consultant East dan Asia Myrtha Pool. Li menjelaskan sudah tiga minggu yang lalu materi komponen kolam renang sudah selesai di kerjakan di Italia.

"Kedatangan kami ke Palembang untuk memastikan koordinasi dengan kontraktor yang ada disini sekaligus memastikan kapan komponen kolam renang berbahan stainless steel yang dibuat di Italia bisa segera dikirim ke sini,”ujar Li.

Menurut perjanjian awal pada Januari 2011 lalu, semua komponen yang dipesan akan di kirim pada bulan Juni dari Italia ke Palembang.
"Lama pengiriman akan membutuhkan waktu sekitar 35 hari melalui jalur laut dengan transit di Singapura sebelum menuju Palembang. Kita akan tetap menyelesaikan pemasangan semua komponen pada jadwal yang sudah di buat,”tegas jhonny Li.

Sementara Direktur spectrum Imagine swiss Timing Omega, Hendri Fung mengatakan peralatan pertandingan berupa komponen hidrolik akan masuk ke Palembang pada pertengahan Agustus mendatang.

Kolam renang standar internasional yang berlokasi di kawasan Jaka baring sport city ini rencananya akan dapat menampung 2500 penonton dengan menggunakan 10 lintasan renang.

Pada kesempatan yang sama, Kepala Dinas Pekerjaan Umum Cita Karya Provinsi SumSel, Ir.Rizal Abdullah mengatakan bahwa progres terakhir pembangunan venue kolam renang sudah mencapai pada angka 40 persen.

“Yang menjadi pokok dalam kolam renang itu sendiri yakni swiss timing, lintasan dan atap. Semuanya on schedule dan kita yakin di akhir agustus akan selesai dan siap di lakukan uji coba,”ungkapnya.

Laporan: Rasyid Irfandy / Palembang
• VIVAnews

Fauzi Optimis Persiapan Venues Sea Games Sesuai Target

BERITAJAKARTA.COM
Persiapan untuk menunjang suksesnya perhelatan ajang olahraga terbesar negara-negara Asia Tenggara atau Sea Games terus dilakukan Pemprov DKI Jakarta sebagai salah satu kota penyelenggara selain Palembang, Sumatera Selatan. Bahkan, untuk memperbaiki venues, Pemprov DKI Jakarta mendapatkan alokasi dana dari Anggaran Pendapatan Belanja Nasional (APBN) sebesar Rp 70 miliar.

“Sampai saat ini persiapannya berjalan dengan lancar. Bahkan melebihi target yang telah ditentukan. Kami memperoleh APBN sebesar Rp 70 miliar untuk memperbaiki venues yang ada di Jakarta,” ujar Fauzi Bowo, Gubernur DKI Jakarta, Senin (23/5).

Dari laporan pengerjaan venues yang diterimanya, diungkapkan Fauzi Bowo, hingga saat ini persiapannya telah melebihi target. Bahkan, pihaknya optimis semua perbaikan venues bisa berjalan lancar sesuai dengan rencana yang ditetapkan. “Persiapannya sudah melebihi target. Saya optimis semuanya bisa berjalan lancar,” katanya.

Hanya saja, diungkapkan Fauzi, pihaknya menyayangkan karena Pemprov DKI Jakarta sampai saat ini belum memperoleh laporan mengenai akomodasi atlet dan pelatih. Jika laporan telah diterima, maka tempat akomodasi untuk atlet dan pelatih bisa terjamin. Sehingga pengusaha hotel pun bisa menyiapkan tempatnya.

"Saya belum menerima laporan mengenai akomodasi atlet dan pelatih. Padahal dua Minggu lalu sudah saya ingatkan. Kontrak dari yang bertanggungjawab mengenai akomodasi agar secepatnya diselesaikan. Kalau tidak ada kepastian pengusaha hotel bisa menjual ke tempat lain," ujarnya.

Menurutnya laporan mengenai akomodasi atlet dan pelatih, juga mempengaruhi pengaturan mobilitas antara tempat penginapan dengan venues tempat penyelenggaraan olahraga. "Kami berikan rekomendasi yang terbaik, yang memungkinkan pengaturan mobilitas itu berjalan dengan lancar," imbuhnya.

Namun, dirinya tidak menyebutkan secara rinci akomodasi mana saja yang menjadi rekomendasi. "Rekomendasinya sudah diserahkan ke pusat, bukan cuma satu. Misalnya, venues balap sepeda itu ada beberapa opsi yang kita berikan. Tergantung dengan panitia dan atlet akan menginap di mana. Supaya bisa diatur sehingga transportasinya lebih baik," tandasnya.



Reporter: erna | Editor: erik

Axeman Raddy

Reports coming out of Singapore suggest national team coach Raddy Avramovic has sensationally dropped several big names ahead of World Cup Qualifiers in July.

Out go Noh Alam Shah, Baihakki Khaizan, M Ridhuan, Agu Casmir and Precious. The only overseas based in the squad of 30 are Mustafic Fahruddin, reportedly returning to Singapore next month, Shahril Ishak, from the previously rebel Liga Primer Indonesia, and Khairul Amri.

Still no place for Gombak United defender Bah Mamadou and Tampines midfielder Ahmad Latiff despite claims the squad was picked on merit.

Handbags At Hougang

So what are people saying after last night's brawl before the Hougang United v Etoile SLeague which saw the game cancelled before the kick off.

The SLeague website comes out with the usual spiel about taking a serious view blah blah blah. The FA took a serious view last year of a similar incident between Young Lions and Beijing Guoan, those lengthy suspensions saw players miss out on the AFF Cup and obviously no lessons have been learned.

Players were banned for several months after that incident. Perhaps we can expect offenders to be caned this time?

One of the Hougang United blogs didn't say anything beyond the fact that the game had been postponed to a later date, not knowing why. An Etoile fan blog saw nothing while a second Houngang United FC blog hasn't even updated for a few days.

SLeague Football just copied the story from Today, a local free newspaper, while Channel News Asia also goes with the same story from the same source.

All this silence is wierd when a club official claims there were 2,000 people inside the stadium. I guess anyone caught blabbing about what they witnessed would end up feeding the fishes courtesy of Seven Fingered Sebastian and his gang of ruthless cuthroats.

Arsenal Confirm Malaysia Date

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that the first-team squad will be playing a pre-season friendly in Malaysia this summer.

Arsène Wenger’s side take on a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 8.45pm local time. This game will be the first leg of Arsenal's Asian Tour. Details of the second leg will be announced on Wednesday.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting Malaysia.

“The Club has a tradition of playing there going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999.

"We enjoy huge support in Asia and this will help bring the Club closer to our fans out there.”

Phnom Penh's Crowning Moment

Hosting the AFC Presidents Cup Phnom Penh Crown have assured themselves of a place in the next round after wins in their opening two games.

After beating Den Bosco from Sri Lanka 3-0 in the opening game, yesterday PPC overcame Abahani 1-0 with an 80th minute goal from Chann Cahaya in front of 8,500 at the Olympic Stadium.

They share top spot with Neftchi Kochkor who they play in the final game tomorrow.

Not sure the format for the next rond.

Heady times for Phnom Penh Crown as next month travel to Singapore to take on SAFFC in the Singapore Cup while they continue to chase CLeague glory at home.

SLeague Players Brawling Again

Singapore goes with squeaky clean in the same way Worcestershire Sauce goes with Shepherd's Pie. It's a nice peaceful place where tempers only get raised on newspaper websites.

Except when it comes to football. You just know when the Straits Times writes about local football it ain't gonna be in glowing terms. Last nights postponement of the game between Hougang United and Etoile before the ref had tossed a coin is fodder for the ST assassins and they loving it on their high horse...I would post the link but only half the story is on line, the rest is only available to paying subscribers which I ain't.

So what happened? Funnily enough it sounds like there was an Arsene Wenger impersonater conference going on in the same area because despite there being 2,000 fans there no one saw a thing.

Apparently a ball went on to the wrong side of the field during the warm up, some male egos were put out by this affront to their alpha male status when a player crossed the line to collect the offending ball, they probably puffed their chests out, puffed their cheeks out and waved their arms.

Players from both sides then got involved and soon it was a western style bar room brawl before, somehow, they were sent back down the tunnel. I wonder if there was a piano playing in the background, perhaps one guy found a bottle of whiskey in the dug out, took a quick nip then smashed the bottle on an oponents head.

My sources tell me this brawl was part of the Football Association of Singapore's well received Strategic Plan to raise the profile of the SLeague and attract more punters.

Singapore Cup Dates

Friday 10 June: HOUGANG UNITED FC VS YOUNG TIGERS (Malaysia) - Possible 'live' match, to be confirmed.

Match No: 1

Venue: Hougang Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Saturday 11 June: GOMBAK UNITED FC VS BALESTIER KHALSA FC

Match No: 2

Venue: Jurong West Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Sunday 12 June: SOUTH MELBOURNE FC (Australia) VS ALBIREX NIIGATA (S) FC

Match No: 3

Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Monday 13 June: GEYLANG UNITED FC VS TAMPINES ROVERS FC

Match No: 4

Venue: Bedok Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Tuesday 14 June: HOME UNITED FC VS WOODLANDS WELLINGTON FC

Match No: 5

Venue: Bishan Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 15 June: ETOILE FC VS TANJONG PAGAR UNITED FC

Match No: 6

Venue: Queenstown Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 16 June: SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES FC VS PHNOM PENH CROWN FC (Cambodia)

Match No: 7

Venue: Choa Chu Kang Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

Friday 17 June: PATTAYA UNITED FC (Thailand) VS OKKTHAR UNITED FC (Myanmar) - 'Live' Match

Match No: 8

Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium

Time: 7.30pm

SEA Games Ingin Saingi Asian Games Guangzhou

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Upacara pembukaan dan penutupan menjadi daya tarik tersendiri pesta olahraga multieven. Karena itu, Panitia Penyelenggara SEA Games XXVI Indonesia (INASOC) berupaya untuk menghadirkan seremonial yang spektakuler dan menjadi benchmark di Asia Tenggara.

Deputi IV bidang Upacara Pembukaan dan Penutupan INASOC, Indra Yudhistira, mengatakan, pihaknya akan menghadirkan seremonial massal memadukan seni, tradisi, dan olahraga yang berciri Indonesia pada ajang dua tahunan itu. "Ini tantangan bagi kami untuk membuat upacara yang menyaingi Asian Games Guangzhou tahun lalu," kata dia.

Indra mengatakan, bila Guangzhou membangun tempat pertunjukan di tepi sungai, maka Indonesia akan memanfaatkan Stadion Jakabaring, Palembang. Pada pertunjukan yang diberi tema 'Harmony in Victory' ini akan disuguhkan sejarah Indonesia.

"Ini akan menjadi pertunjukan terbesar dengan panggung yang bisa bergerak. Cerita sejarah, di antaranya tentang kerajaan Sriwijaya," ujar pria yang memiliki pengalaman di dunia pertelevisian dan panggung pertunjukan ini.

Untuk mewujudkannya, Indra akan dibantu Erwin Gutawa sebagai penata musik dan perkusionis, Ade Rudiana. Enam koreografer terbaik tanah air, Ari Tulang, Dedy Pudja, Hartati, dan Alex Hassim. Penyelenggaraan SEA Games dibutuhkan dana Rp 2,08 triliun. Namun, APBN hanya menganggarkan Rp 100 miliar. INASOC pun harus mengupayakan sisanya sebesar Rp 1,9 triliun melalui sponsor.



Redaktur: Stevy Maradona
Reporter: Ratna Puspita

Maskot Sea Games perlu Segera Disosialisasikan

Modo Modi, maskot SEA Games ke-26--MI/Rommy Pujianto/rj

PALEMBANG--MICOM:Modo Modi sebagai maskot SEA Games ke-26 di Indonesia yang akan digelar di Jakarta dan Palembang perlu segera disosialisasikan lebih intensif kepada masyarakat untuk mendukung sukses kegiatan itu.

Ia mengatakan, maskot SEA Games berupa binatang purba khas Indonesia yakni komodo itu semestinya sudah lama disampaikan kepada masyarakat sehingga dapat diketahui secara meluas.

"Perlu melibatkan kabupaten dan kota di Sumsel ini, untuk menyebarluaskan informasi tentang maskot SEA Games itu," katanya.

Ia mengharapkan, pihak eksekutif dan legislatif ikut menyebarluaskan informasi mengenai pelaksanaan SEA Games termasuk maskotnya.

"Kami di Komisi V DPRD Sumsel selalu menyampaikan informasi mengenai pelaksanaan SEA Games ke-26 itu," katanya.

Ia juga berharap kepada panitia SEA Games khususnya bidang promosi untuk mulai gencar melakukan sosialisasi maskot SEA Games tersebut.

Di Palembang, maskot SEA Games itu sudah terlihat berupa banner dipasang di simpang Rumah Sakit Charitas, dan dalam bentuk iklan layanan masyarakat di sejumlah koran lokal Palembang.

Maskot SEA Games ke-25 pada 2009 di Vientiane, Laos, bernama champa-champi, berupa sepasang gajah. (Ant/Ol-3)

Agnes Monica Buka SEA GAMES 2011

Azwin Nugraha
img
Agnes Monica
Liputan6.com, Jakarta: Setelah berhasil berduet dengan Michael Bolton, penyanyi multitalenta Agnes Monica bakal menunjukkan kemampuannya berolah vokal, 3 Agustus mendatang dalam pembukaan SEA Games 2011 yang bakal digelar di Palembang, Sumatera Selatan.

Penggemar Agnes tak sabar. "Agnes Monica akan membuka acara SEA Games 2011 dengan menyanyikan lagu 'Kita Bisa' utk para atlet nasional..." tulis penggemar Agnes dalam akun twitter resminya @FansAgnezMo, Jumat (20/5). Kabar yang beredar, Agnes bakal menyanyi dengan tiga penyanyi dari negara asing. (Vin)

Indonesia sedia runding tambah acara basikal trek

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia menerima perkhabaran gembira menjelang Sukan Sea 2011 apabila Indonesia bersedia mengadakan rundingan semula dengan Persatuan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) mengenai jumlah acara basikal khususnya trek yang akan diadakan di Palembang November ini.

Naib Presiden ACC, Abu Samah Abd. Wahab yang menerima mandat badan berbasikal Asia itu agar kemelut jumlah acara trek pada Sukan Sea 2011 diselesaikan, menjelaskan Indonesia sedia menemui wakil ACC dan Persekutuan Berbasikal Asean (ACA) di Jakarta dalam tempoh terdekat.

"Perkara ini dinyatakan Ketua Umum Ikatan Sepeda Sport Indonesia (ISSI), Phanny Tanjung dalam satu pertemuan khas dengan saya di Kuala Lumpur.

"Saya berbesar hati dan gembira melihat sikap terbuka ISSI. Malah Indonesia berjanji akan mencari jalan penyelesaian menang-menang.

"Pada awal Mei lalu saya ke Jogjakarta menemui delegasi Indonesia untuk mengetahui perkembangan terkini tentang acara berbasikal yang akan dipertandingkan di Palembang. Kehadiran Phanny adalah sebagai satu kunjungan balas.

"Namun secara simbolik ia membuktikan Ketua Umum ISSI itu bersikap terbuka. Ia membuktikan Phanny Tanjung berfikiran terbuka, matang dan mahu mencari formula menang-menang," katanya.

Sebelum ini, Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) kurang senang apabila hanya tiga acara trek, bukan 12 yang dipertandingkan pada Sukan SEA.

Acara trek yang penting seperti keirin dan 200 meter pecut individu tidak dipertandingkan. Malaysia mempunyai dua pelumba bertaraf dunia dalam acara ini iaitu Mohd Azizulhasni Awang dan Josiah Ng.

Keputusan itu dinyatakan Komite Olimpik Indonesia (KOI) yang menegaskan tidak melakukan rombakan mana-mana acara membabitkan trek, basikal bukit (MTB) dan BMX sekali pun telah mengadakan mesyuarat pada 25 Februari lalu.


UTUSAN MALAYSIA

Results 21-22 May

AFC Presidents Cup

Phnom Penh Crown v Den Bosco 3-0

Divisi Utama Play Offs

Mitra Kukar v Persiraja 0-1 (Dillah) 1,025

Persidafon v Persiba Bantul 2-5 (Harianto, Ernest Jeremiah; Gonzales 2, Sugiyanto 2, Busari) 24,126

Liga Primer Indonesia

Bogor Raya v Medan Chiefs 2-4

Solo v PSM 1-4

Bali Devata v Aceh United 2-0

Minangkabu v Manado United 4-1

Cendrawasih Papua v Bintang Medan 3-2

Batavia Union v Persebaya 1927 0-0

Tangerang Wolves v Jakarta 2-3

Bandung v Semarang United 3-2

Persema v Persibo 1-1

1 - Persebaya 18 12 4 2 42-13 40

2 - Persema 18 12 4 2 35-17 40

3 - PSM Makassar 17 9 4 4 32-17 31

4 - Batavia Union 18 8 7 3 32-23 31

Thai Premier League

Sriracha v TOT 0-2

Chiang Rai United v Thai Port 1-1

Sisaket v Osotspa 1-1

BEC Tero v Bangkok Glass 0-2

Khon Kean v Pattaya United 1-1

Siam Navy v TTM Phichit 1-1

Samut Songkram v Buriram PEA 0-4

1 - Buriram PEA 14 11 3 0 25-5 36

2 - Chonburi 13 9 3 1 32-10 30

3 - Police United 13 7 5 1 13-7 26

4 - Bangkok Glass 14 6 4 4 20-14 22

SLeague

Albirex Niigata v Home United 2-1 (Shimono, Ihata; Qiu Li) 1,455

1 - Tampines 14 10 3 1 30-11 33

2 - Home United 15 10 2 3 37-14 32

3 - Etoile 12 8 2 2 21-7 26

4 - SAFFC 13 8 2 3 25-15 26

12 - Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers)

10 - Frederic Mendy (Home United), Mislav Karoglan (SAFFC)

9 - Qiul Li (Home United)

Malaysia Super League

Johor FC v Perlis 2-1

Kedah v KL 0-0

Terengganu v Negeri Sembilan 3-0

Pahang v Selangor 2-1

Harima Muda A v Kelantan 2-2

Sabah v T Team 1-3

Felda United v Perak 0-1

1 - Kelantan 21 13 5 3 44-18 44

2 - Terengganu 21 13 5 3 40-18 44

3 -Selangor 21 13 3 5 30-20 42

More tales From La La Land

An election for Football Association of Thailand president will be held on June 17, incumbent president Worawi Makudi said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference, Worawi said he had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn a Fifa ruling which booted out Thailand from the current Olympic qualifying.

He also claimed he had achievements to prove his management ability but has been "bullied" by "envious" people.

He said a new date of the FAT election was set for June 17 at the National Football Development Centre in Nong Chok after the original poll on May 6 was called off.

At that time, Worawi said he and other members of FAT executive board decided to postpone the election because some member clubs were represented by more than one voter, amid reports that he could be defeated.

Worawi said yesterday the FAT had formally asked member clubs to name their voters who must be approved by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

There are 173 voters who include 19 members of the FAT executive board. Apart from Worawi, former Thai Port FC chairman Pichate Munkong and former national team manager Virach Chanpanich will stand in the election.

Worawi said he had lodged an appeal with the CAS for the court to allow Thailand to continue playing in the Olympic qualifying for the 2012 Games.

World soccer governing body Fifa has banned Thailand from competing in the Olympic qualifying after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) claimed that Thailand used a suspended player in a previous match.

Thailand defeated Palestine on penalties after a 2-2 draw over two legs. In the first leg in Bangkok, Thailand fielded Sujarit Jantakol who the AFC said was suspended during a U20 match in 2008.

Thailand argued that Sujarit had served his suspension because he was in the Thai squad for the 2010 Asian Games but did not play.

The AFC then claimed the football tournament at the Asian Games was not sanctioned by the AFC.

Worawi said yesterday he had talked to AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam who admitted the football event at the Asiad was supervised by the AFC.

"We should know a CAS ruling in 10 days. In my opinion, there is a high chance of Thailand returning to the Olympic qualifying," he said.

Worawi also used this occasion to attack his opponents.

"I don't want to have enemies but a group of people have bullied and attacked me only because our national team lost," he said.

"If I do not look after the association or the national team, then you can criticise me. I have tried my best to look after the national team. But you can get any result in football.

"Our football league has made progress in recent years and this could affect the preparations of the national team because the players will have less time to train with the national team.

"I believe that in the next one or two years, our system will become effective."

On criticism that he has not had an achievements, Worawi argued that he guided Thailand to the semi-finals at the 2002 Asian Games and to the final qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup.

At that time, he was FAT secretary-general.

"This is proof that I have worked hard for Thai football. I am not disheartened. Athough I have been bullied by envious people, I am accepted on the international stage," said Worawi, who is a Fifa executive member.

COMMENT - seriously, you can't make this shit up. The qualifty of person that leads football is shocking, they have no shame, no scruples. Given the money swirling round the game we're unlikely to be rid of them any time soon. Allowing fans to vote won't change things anyway. Look at the Manchester United shirts round the world, there ain't a whole lot of independent thinking going on out there.

Still, it's the modern world I guess and we must accept it?