S. Sumatra, C. Java top PON host bidding<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): South Sumatra and Central Java won the 2004
\nNational Games (PON) bidding on Wednesday in an open election at
\nthe National Sports Council (KONI) plenary meeting commission 2
\non organization.<\/p>\n
South Sumatra won with 33 votes, followed by Central Java with
\n23, North Sumatra with four and West Java with only one vote.<\/p>\n
Oyong Kramayudha, the commission's adviser, said after the
\nballoting that the results would be recommended to the government
\nand KONI would wait for the government's choice.<\/p>\n
\"Although South Sumatra won the ballot, it will not definitely
\nhost the next PON. The government may decide differently based on
\nsecurity, politics and facilities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Oyong said the results have fulfilled the expectations of
\nstate minister of youth affairs and sports, Mahadi Sinambela, and
\nsports community to host PON outside of Java.<\/p>\n
\"By staging the event in either Palembang, South Sumatra, or
\nSemarang, Central Java, all provinces still can afford to send
\ntheir contingents.\"<\/p>\n
Vice chairman of KONI South Sumatra chapter, HM Zikri Kisai,
\nsaid after the election that he was satisfied with the result.<\/p>\n
\"We are glad that we were given responsibility to host PON and
\nwe'll do it the best we can. This is a challenge for provinces
\noutside Java, if we are able to host PON,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Zikri said South Sumatra has spent Rp 3.5 billion (US$486,100)
\nfor the bidding.<\/p>\n
\"We allocated Rp 135 billion to host PON in 2004 with funding
\nmostly from the provincial budget. We will host the event in
\nPalembang and Bangka. South Sumatra has started to renovate
\nsports facilities from last year and we have tested some venues
\nto host national championships,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, chairman of KONI Central Java chapter, Djoko
\nSudantoko, said that he was pleased with the election as it had
\ngone through a democratic system.<\/p>\n
\"Whatever the result, we have to accept it. However, Central
\nJava still hopes to have a second chance should the government
\nchoose another location,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Djoko declined to attempt persuading KONI and the government
\nto name Central Java as the next host.<\/p>\n
\"We can't achievement our goals by lobbying but by training
\nhard. We worked hard preparing the bid. Even if we lose, we have
\ntried. The funds we have collected to host the event will be
\nallocated to grooming young athletes toward higher achievement in
\nthe next PON,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Central Java will allocate Rp 106 billion should it host the
\nevent. About Rp 50 billion will come from the provincial budget
\nwhile the rest is expected from the government and business
\nsponsorships. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/s-sumatra-c-java-top-pon-host-bidding-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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