KONI seeks more sponsors for SEAG, Asiad<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Following its success in gathering sponsors for
\nthe 2000 Olympic Games, the National Sports Council (KONI) is now
\nsearching for sponsors to finance the training programs for the
\n2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur and the 2002
\nAsian Games in Pusan, South Korea.<\/p>\n
KONI official in charge of planning and budgeting, Togi
\nHutagaol, said KONI was still facing difficulties in finding
\npermanent sponsors to fund Indonesia's participation in
\nmultisports events.<\/p>\n
\"It's hard for us to find sponsors. They only want to support
\nworld-class sports like badminton,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Togi said KONI has approached telecommunications company PT
\nExcelcomindo Pratama and Standard Chartered Bank about sponsoring
\nthe training programs.<\/p>\n
\"We are still negotiating their possible cooperation.
\nGenerally, they have approved the idea. We want them to support
\nthe Olympics and the 2001 SEA Games,\" he said without providing
\nany details on how much funding was required for the SEA Games
\ntraining program.<\/p>\n
Togi said the South Korean beverage manufacturer which
\nproduced and distributed the Ginseng Up energy drink here, had
\noffered to set aside Rp 200 (US 2.6 cents) from each bottle sold
\nto finance sports development.<\/p>\n
\"We have yet to complete negotiations with the company.
\nBasically we're hoping for a larger amount from the company,\" he
\nsaid, adding that the sponsorship would only last for a limited
\ntime.<\/p>\n
Togi reiterated that KONI was still hoping the government
\nwould approve the fund-raising program Damura (the People's Fund
\nfor Sports), because the program would provide a sustainable fund
\nfor sports development.<\/p>\n
The organizer of Damura, PT Mutiara Mandala Mahardhika (3M),
\nhas agreed to contribute 16.5 percent of its total Rp 50 billion
\nin projected income to KONI.<\/p>\n
KONI needs Rp 6.9 billion to finance its Olympic training
\nprogram. It has received Rp 2 billion from the Gelora Senayan
\nManagement Board (BPGS) and the Rp 500 million surplus from last
\nyear's SEA Games budget. It also received a Rp 1 billion
\ncontribution from McDonald's Indonesia and $100,000 in cash and
\ngoods from PT Samsung Electronic Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The council expects to receive another Rp 4.2 billion from the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said he had personally
\napproached the director general for the state budget at the
\nMinistry of Finance, A. Anshari Ritonga, to release the money.<\/p>\n
\"He understood our difficulty and promised to disburse the
\nmoney soon. However, we must also understand the tight schedule
\nin his office.<\/p>\n
\"I asked him to disburse half of the money, if possible,
\nbefore we run out of funds in mid-April. I believe he will
\nrespond to the request,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Togi said KONI would award Rp 1 billion bonuses to Olympic
\ngold medalists, Rp 500 million to silver medalists and Rp 250
\nmillion to bronze medalists.<\/p>\n
\"The amounts are similar to those offered to medalists in the
\n1992 and 1996 Olympics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arie also said women's tae kwon doin Juana Wangsa Putri and
\nher South Korean coach, Oh Il-nam, departed on Friday to begin
\nJuana's training.<\/p>\n
\"KONI's medical team said Juana has recovered from her back
\ninjury and was ready to start training. She is capable of
\ncompeting in the Olympics,\" he said. (ivy\/yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/koni-seeks-more-sponsors-for-seag-asiad-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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