Sinambela committed to sports development<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed State Minister of Youth Affairs
\nand Sports Mahadi Sinambela said on Tuesday he would be committed
\nto sports development in his new post for the term of 1999 to
\n2004.<\/p>\n
Sinambela, who recently learned of his appointment on Tuesday
\nmorning from Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung, was a close
\nassistant to Akbar, the former state minister of youth affairs
\nand sports in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
\"I will commit myself to sports because, so far, sports
\ndevelopment in the country has been shoved aside,\" he told
\nreporters at his residence in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Citing an example, Sinambela said soccer fields have changed
\nto malls as a result of the impact of economic development.<\/p>\n
\"However, it's not merely the government's fault. It was
\nbecause of the impact of the fast growing economy at the time,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the National Sports Council (KONI) secretary-
\ngeneral, Rudolf S. Warouw, and sports observer Mangombar
\nFerdinand Siregar both expressed hope on Tuesday that Sinambela
\nwould be able to push House of Representative members to issue a
\nSports Law.<\/p>\n
The law, which is needed to develop sports in the country, was
\nsubmitted to the House in early 1990, but there has been no
\nprogress.<\/p>\n
It is a heavy responsibility to try issue the law for
\nSinambela, a deputy secretary-general of the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lot of homework that must be finished by the new
\nminister. He should not only issue political statements but also
\nget involved in sport activities,\" Siregar said.<\/p>\n
Both Siregar and Warouw expressed satisfaction with President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\ndecision to retain the existence of the office of the state
\nminister of youth affairs and sports.<\/p>\n
\"By retaining the minister's office, the new government has
\nshown a great interest in sports development. President
\nAbdurrahman has cut the size of the Cabinet, but he kept the
\noffice of the state minister of youth affairs and sports. It's a
\ngood sign from him to show his attention to sports. I believe he
\nis a sports fan,\" said Warouw.<\/p>\n
\"With the office remaining in the Cabinet means the government
\nhas shown a good indication to develop sports,\" Siregar said. \"If
\nthe government is not able to provide financial assistance, I
\nthink it can provide facilities for the sports community.\"<\/p>\n
An example Siregar suggested was exempting athletes who are
\ncompeting abroad from paying fiscal taxes. Other examples
\nincluded giving full scholarships to athletes, a 50 percent
\ndiscount for airplane and train tickets and promoting athletes
\nwho are military officers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) secretary-
\ngeneral Trie Goestoro said PSSI would remain professional
\nalthough chairman Agum Gumelar was named the transportation
\nminister.<\/p>\n
\"We are proud that Pak Agum has been named a minister. I hope
\nhis appointment will boost our motivation to work better,\" he
\ntold Antara.<\/p>\n
Trie said although Agum would be busier with his new task as
\nminister, he still showed commitment in observing soccer
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
He also said PSSI would not benefit from Agum's appointment as
\nminister.<\/p>\n
Siregar said Agum could help the sports community by providing
\nfacilities and assistance in accordance with his authority. (yan)<\/p>",
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