Central Java aims to host 2004 National Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Central Java is determined in its ambition to
\nhost the 2004 National Games (PON), despite tough competition
\nfrom West Java, North Sumatra and South Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Governor Mardiyanto told a press conference on Thursday that
\nthe province would need nearly Rp 200 billion (US$26.3 million)
\nto stage the quadrennial event.<\/p>\n
The money would be taken from the provincial budget of Rp 88.5
\nbillion and the state budget of Rp 40 billion. There would be Rp
\n10 billion assistance from the National Sports Council (KONI) and
\nthe private sector and contingents are expected to contribute
\naround Rp 56.5 billion and Rp 5 billion respectively.<\/p>\n
Mardiyanto said he wanted to use the opportunity for Central
\nJava to reach the top three in the national ranking.<\/p>\n
\"By hosting PON, I believe our athletes will be motivated to
\nwork harder to reach our ambition of finishing third in the
\noverall title,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In the 1996 Games, Central Java finished fourth with 32 golds
\nafter the host Jakarta with 141 golds, West Java with 71 golds
\nand East Java with 65 golds.<\/p>\n
Central Java plans to hold PON in the five cities of Semarang,
\nSalatiga, Surakarta, Wonogiri and Magelang due to the limited
\nvenues in the capital.<\/p>\n
About 6,500 athletes are expected to compete in 36 sports in
\nthe event. Nineteen of the 36 sports -- including archery, beach
\nvolleyball, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, karate, judo, pencak
\nsilat, rowing, sepak takraw, shooting, swimming, taek won do,
\ntennis, track and field, weightlifting and windsurfing -- are
\nKONI's priorities for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the
\nAsian Games.<\/p>\n
Mardiyanto said although he still needed to work hard to
\nfinance the event, if Central Java wins, he would not burden his
\npeople with the huge budget.<\/p>\n
\"We plan to request the contribution of Rp 100 per month from
\neach family in the province until 2004. But the final solution
\nwhen we have a deadlock will be sponsorships,\" he said, adding
\nthat he hoped KONI would announce the bidding winner in February
\n2000.<\/p>\n
\"Through this contribution, we estimate to earn Rp 2 billion
\nper month. It's not a small amount but as I said before, it will
\nbe the last resort.\"<\/p>\n
Central Java has picked Bimby as its mascot. Bimby is a
\nhumorous character like Bima, a hero of the Bharata family in the
\nMahabharata epic. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/central-java-aims-to-host-2004-national-games-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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