Government eyes efficiency in sports development<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid defended on Monday
\nthe dissolution of the office of the state minister of sports and
\nyouth affairs, noting the government was seeking efficiency in
\nsports development.<\/p>\n
Addressing the national Olympic contingent at the Bina Graha
\npresidential office, Abdurrahman said sports development was now
\nthe job of the National Sports Council (KONI), putting an end to
\nyears of overlapping roles by the council and the now defunct
\noffice of the state minister.<\/p>\n
\"Let KONI develop national sports, with the government
\nfocusing on supervision and providing facilities if necessary. We
\nwill do no more than that,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
As a result of the Cabinet reshuffle, sports will fall under
\nthe Ministry of National Education through the Directorate
\nGeneral of Informal Education and Sports.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, as the President is known, added that the closure of
\nthe office of the state minister would dispose of the long-
\nstanding image of the government's inclination to meddle in
\nsocial activities, including sports.<\/p>\n
In his first days in office, the President dissolved the
\ninformation and social affairs ministries. The decision sparked
\nnationwide criticism, largely centering on the fate of employees
\nof the two ministries.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will send 48 athletes, 23 coaches and 19 officials
\nto the Sydney Olympics, which will take place from Sept. 15 to
\nOct. 1. The first batch of the national contingent will depart on
\nFriday, while the second and third batches will fly to Sydney on
\nSept. 5 and Sept. 10, respectively.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the national team, Gus Dur said: \"I entrust
\nIndonesia's reputation to you. The country's glory and prestige
\nare in the hands of the athletes.\"<\/p>\n
Professional<\/p>\n
In response to the President's statement, KONI deputy chairman
\nArie Sudewo said the council would enjoy more authority in
\npromoting sports development in the country.<\/p>\n
He said the council might restructure itself in response to
\nits new role. \"We, for example, will also tackle professional
\nsports, which presently are supervised by a separate agency
\ncalled BAPOPI. We will also have to discuss who will advocate
\nsports among schoolchildren.\"<\/p>\n
Arie admitted, however, the additional authority given to KONI
\nwould not change its dependence on state funds.<\/p>\n
\"We now have to ask for financial support from the government
\nthrough the national education ministry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, mobile phone operator PT Telekomunikasi Selular
\nIndonesia (Telkomsel), a subsidiary of PT Telkom, signed an
\nagreement with KONI to provide 100 Halo postpaid mobile phone
\ncards to the national Olympic team. The cards come with
\ninternational roaming facilities.<\/p>\n
Telkomsel president director Mulia P. Tambunan said each
\ncardholder would be given 10 free minutes of international calls.
\n(ivy)<\/p>",
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