RI's planned bid for 2006 Asiad sparks controversy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's (KONI) planned bid
\nfor the 2006 Asian Games has sparked controversy among the sports
\nfederations.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Tennis Association and the Indonesian Amateur
\nBoxing Association rejected the idea on Thursday, citing a lack
\nof funds as the main barrier to staging the quadrennial event.<\/p>\n
KONI's plan did receive support from the Indonesian Fencing
\nAssociation and the Indonesian Tae kwon do Association, which
\ninsisted that the event was worth bidding on and believed that
\nthe government and the people would work together to make the
\nGames a success.<\/p>\n
The deputy secretary-general of the tennis association, Benny
\nMailili, was pessimistic that Indonesia would be capable of
\nraising the funds needed to host the continent's major sports
\nevent.<\/p>\n
\"Experts predict that our economy will only recover after
\n2002. I don't think the government will have enough money to
\nstage the event four years from 2002,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"In the absence of funds, KONI would have to start lobbying
\nthe International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee
\nAsia (OCA) as soon as possible (for financial assistance),\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Malaysia, India and the United Arab Emirates have also showed
\ninterest in bidding for the 2006 Asiad.<\/p>\n
The amateur boxing association's deputy secretary-general,
\nDidiet Soedijoto, said he was doubtful that KONI could sell the
\nevent because the economic crisis had lowered Indonesian's buying
\npower.<\/p>\n
\"People here say boxing is one of their favorite sports, but
\nticket sales at boxing tournaments only reach, at maximum, 30
\npercent of our target,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The Asiad is serious business. Can we sell a major sports
\nevent in the situation we are now in. You know that the 19th
\nSoutheast Asian Games underwriting consortium, a part of the
\nGames' organizing committee, still owes millions of rupiah to
\nKONI, the private sector and the government,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Both Benny and Didiet agreed that Indonesia must also improve
\nthe performance of its athletes if the country wants to host the
\nAsiad.<\/p>\n
\"We would have to win medals in 40 percent of the sports
\ncontested at the event. Otherwise we would only succeed as a
\nhost, but not as a participant,\" Benny said.<\/p>\n
Another sports official, Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid, said that the
\ngovernment promised to fully support the planned bid.<\/p>\n
\"What we need now is the government's support to renovate our
\nvenues and build new ones. The President must also urge our
\nambassadors to Asian countries to lobby each country's National
\nOlympics Committee,\" Ahmad, the secretary-general of the
\nIndonesian Tae kwon do Association, said.<\/p>\n
Zarkasih suggested that KONI's new board of executives
\nestablish a special bidding team which would be responsible for
\ndrawing up a proposal of Indonesia's preparations and promotions
\nfor the event.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta is one of the best tourist destinations. I believe
\nthat after the June election, we will be able to start rebuilding
\nthe country and planning construction projects for sports
\nvenues,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The secretary-general of the fencing association, Soerjono,
\nsaid KONI must begin its six-year preparations for hosting the
\nAsiad.<\/p>\n
\"We should not be pessimistic. In 1962, we were able to stage
\nthe Asiad amid a 'chaotic' political situation. The Asian Games
\ncan give a boost to our tourist industry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Our sports venues only need renovating. We don't have to
\nbuild another sports complex...,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, KONI deputy chief of athletes development affairs,
\nMohammad Sarengat, said that OCA usually invites all of its
\nmember countries to hear the proposals of Asian Games bidders.<\/p>\n
\"So far, I haven't heard when OCA will hold such a meeting for
\nthe 2006 Games. It should have taken place during the Asiad last
\nDecember,\" he said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ris-planned-bid-for-2006-asiad-sparks-controversy-1447893297",
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