SEAG organizers urged to stage a modest event<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
\nHayono Isman urged SEA Games organizers yesterday to stage the
\nbiennial event modestly.<\/p>\n
\"They don't have to force the public to pay for the
\nover calculated budget to host the event,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hayono said organizers did not have to stage an extravagant
\nopening ceremony but had to pay more attention to athletes'
\nfacilities and venues.<\/p>\n
\"The budget for the ceremony is better used for upgrading
\nvenues,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will not be able to present a fascinating opening
\nceremony like the one Thailand staged in 1995, because Thailand
\nhad years to prepare, he said.<\/p>\n
\"But staging a simple ceremony does not mean that it will
\nreduce the value of the event but the most important thing is for
\nit to be successful,\" said Hayono, who is also the games
\norganizers' executive director.<\/p>\n
Hayono said organizers had collected Rp 20 billion (US$8.5
\nmillion) from an international sponsorship agency owned by Rupert
\nMurdoch.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo Arismunandar, the National Sports Councils' chairman,
\nsaid the games' revised budget was Rp 95 billion so organizers
\nstill needed Rp 75 billion.<\/p>\n
Organizers have calculated the budget would blowout to Rp 140
\nbillion once the budget for grooming national athletes was
\nincluded.<\/p>\n
\"The budget excludes renovations to Senayan Stadium,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Although the amount was more than first planned, underwriting
\nconsortium representative Enggartiasto Lukito said it could
\ncollect the funds on time.<\/p>\n
Hayono said the government would provide Rp 3.4 billion to
\nsubsidize the country's squad.<\/p>\n
Organizers have lobbied Brunei Darussalam, which refused its
\nappointment as host, to help them.<\/p>\n
\"Formally we're not asking for Brunei's help because as we
\nhave to take all responsibility as the host,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hayono expects the public to support the event.<\/p>\n
\"It'll be very nice to see our people filling all venues
\nbecause they really want to,\" he said.<\/p>\n
So far, Indonesia has yet to be able to invite people to
\narrive in a multi event sports.<\/p>\n
\"I want the games organizers not only to be able to host
\nguests from Southeast Asian countries but also to be a good host
\nfor our own public,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Thais are very appreciative of sports and this drives their
\nsports development.<\/p>\n
Citing an example, the 20,000-seat track and field stadium in
\nthe last Games in Chiang Mai was filled but Indonesia's stadium
\nduring last September's National Games was almost empty. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seag-organizers-urged-to-stage-a-modest-event-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}