Govt's commitment to sports questioned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to abolish the state
\nministry of youth affairs and sport in August showed its lack of
\ncommitment to develop sports in the country, the former incumbent
\nof the ministry said.<\/p>\n
The ex-minister, Abdul Gafur, regretted President Abdurrahman
\nWahid's decision and at the same time questioned the government's
\ncommitment to sport.<\/p>\n
\"The ministry's abolition was pitiful because its existence
\nhad been fought for for several years. Even developed countries,
\nsuch as Australia and the European nations, have their own sports
\nministries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The government's political commitment to sport is really in
\nquestion. It must reestablish the ministry.\"<\/p>\n
He was speaking during a coffee morning held at the National
\nSports Council (KONI) offices in Senayan, which was also attended
\nby KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.<\/p>\n
Gafur said that sport was the only thing this crisis-torn
\nnation could turn to in order to promote patriotism and
\nnationalism irrespective of people's backgrounds.<\/p>\n
\"It's the only tool we have now for national character-
\nbuilding and for boosting our patriotism and nationalism,\" Gafur
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Everyone here cheered whenever our shuttlers of Chinese
\ndescent won a title, Thomas Cup or Olympic gold medal. There were
\nnever any questions asked about our shuttlers' ethnicity or
\nreligion when they were representing this country.\"<\/p>\n
According to Gafur, there were things that could only be done
\nby the government rather than by KONI.<\/p>\n
\"KONI can't charge cigarette levies, for example, or any other
\nlevies to raise funds for sports' development. But the government
\ncan easily impose such levies,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ismangoen Notosaputro, a legislator and member of
\nthe House of Representatives Commission VI on human resources and
\nreligious affairs, said the House would deliberate a sports bill
\nfollowing the abolition of the state ministry.<\/p>\n
\"We have asked KONI to provide the House with suitable drafts
\nfor such a bill. We have also requested input from KONI experts
\non how we should manage our sporting development,\" he told the
\nparticipants.<\/p>\n
\"The House will deliberate the bill in the middle of next year
\nand pass it by the end of 2001,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said the decision (to abolish the ministry) had been
\ntaken and sports activists had to adapt and be ready to face such
\nchanges.<\/p>\n
\"The important thing is to maximize the public's participation
\nas desired by the president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The abolition of the state ministry has left KONI as the sole
\nbody charged with developing sport in this country. The question
\nis whether we have been granted enough power and rights. It's
\nuseless for us to try without having the proper authority,\" he
\nadded. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govts-commitment-to-sports-questioned-1447893297",
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