Minister says public must aid sports drive<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
\nMahadi Sinambela called on the public on Thursday to help make up
\nfor a cut in funds for sports development in the proposed 2000
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
Sinambela was commenting on the draft budget announced by the
\ngovernment on Thursday morning. In the proposed budget, funding
\nfor sports development is cut from Rp 60.73 billion (US$8.32
\nmillion) in last year's budget to Rp 23.87 billion.<\/p>\n
"The government has set a priority of focusing attention on
\nimproving the economic situation in the country and reducing the
\nbudget in other sectors. Due to this situation, businesspeople
\nand the sports community are expected to give a hand and support
\nnational sports development programs.<\/p>\n
"Some larger sports still receive sponsorships to hold
\nnational championships, including soccer, basketball, badminton
\nand boxing," he said.<\/p>\n
Sinambela said he asked President Abdurrahman Wahid to set
\naside some of the tax revenue collected from large businesses and
\nindustries, particularly the cigarette industry, to fund sports
\ndevelopment programs. However, the President said this matter
\nshould be further discussed with Coordinating Minister for the
\nEconomy and Industry Kwik Kian Gie," he said.<\/p>\n
Sinambela said national athletes desperately needed funds to
\nbegin their centralized training program by Feb. 1 for the
\nOlympic Games in Sydney in September.<\/p>\n
"National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar has
\nsent another letter to the state secretary, in his capacity as
\nchairman of the Gelora Senayan Management Board, asking them to
\ndisburse Rp 2 billion in funds to hold the training," he said.<\/p>\n
Sinambela said the President approved on Wednesday plans to
\nprovide Rp 4.9 billion to finance the country's Olympic
\ncontingent.<\/p>\n
He also said he brought to the President's attention the lack
\nof funds to stage the 15th National Games (PON) scheduled to be
\nheld in Surabaya in June.<\/p>\n
"I asked the President (for the Rp 4.9 billion) and he agreed.
\nHopefully, we will receive the money soon. As for PON, he asked
\nme to discuss that with Pak Kwik," he said.<\/p>\n
The National Sports Council has said it requires Rp 6.9
\nbillion for the centralized training program and to send athletes
\noverseas for additional training and competition as part of its
\nefforts to bring home gold medals from the Olympics. (yan)<\/p>",
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