Sports community hopes Gus Dur will back sports<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Sports officials and athletes are hopeful that
\nnewly elected President Abdurrahman Wahid, a former soccer
\ncolumnist, will pay more attention to sports development than
\nB.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
National Sports Council (KONI) secretary-general Rudolf Warouw
\nsaid on Wednesday he was confident that Abdurrahman, better known
\nas Gus Dur, loved sports and would make an effort to improve the
\neconomy and political situation to create a conducive environment
\nfor sports activities to be held.<\/p>\n
"I have read Gus Dur's columns on soccer matches and they were
\nquite good. I believe he is also a sports fan. I hope he will pay
\nmore attention to our sports development and will give priority
\nto sports development in his Cabinet programs," he said.<\/p>\n
"We can take an example from the Malaysian government which
\nhad the political will to develop sports and even host Formula
\nOne Grand Prix."<\/p>\n
Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) secretary-general Tri
\nGoestoro expressed hope that the security situation in the
\ncapital would return to normal soon to allow PSSI to stage the
\nsixth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).<\/p>\n
"I know Gus Dur's concerns about sports development. A few
\nyears ago, he was a soccer columnist in a local newspaper despite
\nhis tight schedule as a religious leader. He can do many things
\nfor sports development, but the most important is that he is
\ncommitted to it," he was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Executive chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association
\n(PGSI) Endro Sumardjo requested KONI submit a proposal on
\ntraining to the President.<\/p>\n
"I'm sure Gus Dur won't neglect sports development, but KONI
\nshould offer a good concept (on sports development) to the
\ngovernment," he said.<\/p>\n
Similar hopes were voiced by athletes and former athletes who
\nwere interviewed shortly after the counting of the ballots
\nconcluded on television.<\/p>\n
Most of them said they wanted the new government to ensure
\nsecurity for the regular holding of sports events.<\/p>\n
Former national soccer player Herry Kiswanto hoped the new
\ngovernment could overcome the political and economic crisis and
\nimprove sports management.<\/p>\n
"I hope the government will pay attention to sports
\nmanagement, particularly for soccer. The government might also
\nmake soccer reign in Asia," he said.<\/p>\n
Soccer player Bambang Pamungkas said: "At least the police
\ncould issue permits to stage various soccer competitions and we
\ncould play in a safe environment."<\/p>\n
Tennis player Liza Andriyani also shared Bambang's view.<\/p>\n
"I hope there will be more tennis tournaments because I make
\nmy living from competing."<\/p>\n
Karateka Umar Syarif said: "I hope the President could better
\nthe welfare of all the athletes. I hope Indonesia could gain a
\nspot in the world. Athletes can also bring honor to this
\ncountry."<\/p>\n
Most athletes were surprised that Abdurrahman beat the
\npublic's favorite Megawati Soekarnoputri from the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
Liza, who had just returned from competing in the Indonesia
\nWomen's Circuit 4 at the Danamon tennis complex in Kemayoran,
\nCentral Jakarta, said: "I never expected him to win. I know Gus
\nDur has health problems but I think he is very intelligent."<\/p>\n
Herry, who apparently missed the television broadcast, said:
\n"I thought it was Mega (Megawati). It's very surprising."<\/p>\n
Warouw praised the voting procedure as "democratic".<\/p>\n
"The new President is the people's choice. The procedure was
\ndone democratically," said the retired Army brigadier general.
\n(ivy)<\/p>",
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