Indonesia still lacks basic sports facilities<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): One of the reasons why Indonesia is still
\nlagging behind other countries in sporting performance is a lack
\nof standard sports facilities, according to Coordinating Minister
\nfor Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.<\/p>\n
To overcome the problem, funds should be donated by
\nIndonesia's business magnates, Soesilo said after opening a new
\nsports stadium at the East Javanese capital's second state-run
\nuniversity, the Institut Teknologi 10 Nopember Surabaya (ITS) on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
"To produce world-class athletes, we need (financial) support
\nfrom magnates. I think Rp 5 billion is enough to build adequate
\nsports facilities and I believe this won't be a burden for them,"
\nsaid Soesilo, a former deputy chairman of the National Sports
\nCouncil.<\/p>\n
The new stadium was built by PT Citraland Surya, owned by
\nCiputra Group. The company is reported to have spent more than Rp
\n1.2 billion on the project.<\/p>\n
With a seating capacity of 1,000, the stadium is located on a
\ntwo-and-a-half-hectare site inside the ITS campus. It has a 105 x
\n66-meter soccer field and track and field facilities, such as a
\nrunning track and long-jump and pole vault sites.<\/p>\n
The business group, which is owned by real estate tycoon
\nCiputra, has been very successful in Greater Jakarta. It began
\nexpansion into Surabaya a few years ago.<\/p>\n
Though situated inside the ITS, the stadium is open to the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
"Standard and basic facilities for track and field, such as
\nthese, are rare. On the other hand, we have 128 golf courses
\nthroughout Indonesia. Isn't it ironic?" Soesilo said.<\/p>\n
Golf course<\/p>\n
The Ciputra Group is now completing the transformation of some
\n2,000 hectares of barren land about 15 kilometers to the west of
\nSurabaya into an 18-hole golf course housing complex. Ciputra has
\nvowed that it will be one of the world's best golf courses.<\/p>\n
The par-72 layout is now in operation and already has 600
\nmembers. Membership will be limited to 1,000.<\/p>\n
"Nature has created this beautifully and we, mankind, are
\nbeautifying it with care," Ciputra said.<\/p>\n
He has invited American golf designer company Dye, ranked
\namong the best 10 golf course specialists in world, to turn the
\nland into a golfing hub.<\/p>\n
"Greens as perfect as those here cannot be found elsewhere,"
\nCiputra said while touring the course.<\/p>\n
The course is designed to let golf enthusiasts play at night.
\nIt is the second course in Indonesia to allow night golf, the
\nfirst being the Modern Golf and Country Club located in
\nTangerang, West Java. (arf).<\/p>",
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