PRESIDENT: INDONESIAN ATHLETES NEED STRONG SELF-CONFIDENCE

Jakarta, July 29 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Indonesian athletes who will compete in the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, on August 8-17 should have self-confidence in performing their sporting skills.

"You have been trained and groomed properly, so please be confident in the competition," the head of state said when receiving in audience the Indonesian sports contingent at the state palace here on Tuesday afternoon.

Furthermore, the President in the company of his wife, called on the members of the Indonesian contingent to grab medals in the international sports event which would raise Indonesia's prestige in the world community.

"Fight the best you can for the nation," the president said.

The President symbolically presented the Red-and-White flag to Chief of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Rita Subowo. The flag will later be carried by the Indonesian contingent.

Indonesia is sending 24 athletes to Beijing. They will compete in seven sports branches -- track and field, weightlifting, marksmanship, swimming, badminton, archery, and windsurfing.

The contingent consists of 11 shuttlers, five weightlifters, two track and field athletes, two swimmers, two archers, a windsurfer and a marksman.

In the meantime, state minister for youth and sports Adhyaksa Dault in his report said the government would give appreciation to athletes who succeeded in making a great achievement during the games by appointing them as civil servants in the central and regional governments as coaches.

"This is one of the government's effort to improve the achievements of Indonesian sports, and train new athletes," he said.