Indonesia's cash-strapped sports council is sending just 134 athletes to the 15th Asian Games in Doha next month, making it a minnow in the pool of Southeast Asian powerhouses.

That small number is parallel to an equally pessimistic medals target -- of equaling the last Games by bringing home only four golds, major national newspaper The Jakarta Post reported Saturday, quoting an official with the National Sports Council (KONI).

"Frankly speaking, it's a real portrait of the condition of sport in the country right now," KONI chairman Agum Gumelar said.

"Our preparation for the Asian Games, including sending a small team, is closely related to budget constraints instead of being program-oriented."

Thailand, which has long been dominant in the region, is sending 400 athletes, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines both sending about 300, and Malaysia (260).

Agum said he had compared Indonesia's strength to its neighbors based on information he gathered from the Olympic Council of Asia's meeting in Macao last week. That get-together discussed the preparation for the Asian Indoor Games in Macao in October 2007.

"With the current budget for the Asiad amounting to about Rp 48 billion (5.27 million U.S. dollars), it was impossible for us to send a larger team," he said.

Indonesia's performance in the biennial Southeast Asian Games has been mediocre during the past decade, with it finishing fifth at the event last year.

As in Doha, it is hoping to win at least four golds from the badminton, bowling, sailing, karate, wushu and cycling events.

The target is identical to four years ago where the 98-strong national squad took home four golds, seven silvers and 12 bronzes.

The 14th-from-39th ranking was one below Singapore, which sent 96 athletes but brought home five golds, two silvers and 10 bronzes; and 12th-ranked Malaysia, which send 212 athletes who won six golds, eight silvers and 16 bronzes.

Thailand, sending 267 athletes, was sixth with 14 golds, 19 silvers and 10 bronzes.

Agum said the competition in the Asiad would be stiff this year, with many countries sending larger-than-normal teams.

"But we shouldn't be discouraged by that fact. Our athletes have to do their best in the Games," he said.

Source: Xinhua