Private sector slow in helping sports program<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The business sector has yet to use its strength
\nto help the national sports program reach an internationally
\nacceptable level, a sport official said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Nugraha Besoes, secretary-general of the Indonesian Soccer
\nAssociation, criticized domestic companies for only spending
\nmoney on certain popular sports, regardless of Indonesia's poor
\ninternational record in those areas.<\/p>\n
\"The business sector helps soccer, for instance, but stays out
\nof rowing which always shines in international competitions,\"
\nNugraha told a seminar on sports business organized by the
\nNational Sports Council and Eshaem Enterprise yesterday.<\/p>\n
Nugraha said that even if the national soccer team routinely
\nflops in international events, the All-Indonesia Football
\nAssociation has never found it difficult to get sponsors.<\/p>\n
The professional soccer league now underway is sponsored by
\ngiant cigarette company Dunhill International.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian Rowing Association is experiencing the
\nopposite and having to use its own money to develop the sport,\"
\nNugraha said.<\/p>\n
Nugraha said that business and sports can form an ideal
\npartnership if they help athletes perform better, which in turn
\nwill make it easier to get sponsors.<\/p>\n
\"Its hard to get companies to understand this. The role of
\nfinancial backer given to big companies has almost been forced on
\nthem,\" said Nugraha.<\/p>\n
Only a few entrepreneurs in the country are willing to
\ncontribute some of their profits to sports development. When they
\ndo, Nugraha said, their contributions always go to their favorite
\nsports.<\/p>\n
He praised a move initiated by the national sports council
\nwhich requires businesses to sponsor all sport organizations
\nunder its auspices.<\/p>\n
\"The dependency will hopefully be short term and not distract
\nthe sports organizations from developing their athletes,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The council and a group of businesspeople led by Sudono Salim
\nand Sudwikatmono agreed in February to provide funds for the
\ncouncil's sporting activities.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Fritz Simanjuntak, a sports council official in
\ncharge of budgetary planning, said that the sports business in
\nIndonesia is weak and that the officials in charge tend to occupy
\nthe spotlight.<\/p>\n
\"It's common here if officials of a sport organization are
\nmore famous than their athletes,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Simanjuntak said that Indonesian businesspeople should see
\nathletes positive means of representing their products.<\/p>\n
\"People will come to watch their idols, not just the match,\"
\nhe said. (05)<\/p>",
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