East Java to honor record breakers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): All athletes that broke records in the just-
\nconcluded 14th National Games will receive cash bonuses donated
\nby East Javanese businessmen.<\/p>\n
East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman told reporters on leaving
\nJakarta for his province's capital Surabaya yesterday that the
\nbonuses will be presented in East Java's capital city as soon as
\nhe finishes compiling the names of the athletes.<\/p>\n
A number of East Javanese businessmen had earlier promised to
\nraise funds for the record breakers, no matter where they came
\nfrom.<\/p>\n
The lowest bonus, worth Rp 5 million (US$2,146), will be given
\nto a national record breaker. A new Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
\nrecord breaker will be rewarded with Rp 7.5 million ($3,200), an
\nAsian record breaker Rp 10 million ($4,300) and an Olympic record
\nbreaker Rp 15 million ($6,400).<\/p>\n
During the 12-day Games, which concluded Friday, 72 national
\nrecords, 13 SEA Games records and 30 Asian records fell. All the
\nlatter were in power lifting. The East Javanese businessmen will
\nnow have to cough up nearly Rp 1 billion ($426,000) for the
\nrecord-breaking athletes.<\/p>\n
\"Our businesspeople wanted to show how deep their commitment
\nis toward the improvement of national athletes' performances.
\nThis is just one of the many ways to boost the competitors'
\nshowing in international events,\" said Basofi, a former Jakarta
\ndeputy governor.<\/p>\n
Basofi said that the businessmen have so far managed to
\naccumulate Rp 150 million ($64,400) for the bonus fund.<\/p>\n
The governor said that the award presentation ceremony may
\ncoincide with the East Javanese team's get-together celebration.<\/p>\n
East Java once again failed to overcome West Java in the medal
\nrace during the recent Games. Basofi's athletes trailed their
\nWest Javanese opponents by six golds to end in third place in the
\nmedal tally, a repeat of the 1993 Games.<\/p>\n
Basofi, however, had something to cheer and be proud of. \"We
\ncollected more medals this year than three years ago. We're
\nimproving aren't we?\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the unexpected third place finish, East Java had the
\nhonor of winning the soccer gold medal.<\/p>\n
Surabaya has been dubbed a strong candidate to host the 15th
\nGames in 2000, although the government has hinted that the
\nquadrennial event will take place in Jakarta for the foreseeable
\nfuture. (amd)<\/p>",
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