'Wismoyo ideal figure for KONI'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Another sports figure threw his weight behind
\nWismoyo Arismunandar to hold the command baton of the National
\nSports Council (KONI) yesterday as several others opted to take a
\nwait-and-see stance.<\/p>\n
A former top official of the Indonesian Wrestling Association
\n(PGSI), Rio Tambunan, said yesterday he though nobody but Wismoyo
\ncould lead the national sports governing body. \"He's an ideal
\nmodel of a leader, and he knows a lot about sports,\" Rio said.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo, who is the Army chief of staff, chaired the
\nIndonesian Judo Association (PJSI) for 12 years, from 1982. He
\nrefused another four-year term and let former Jakarta Military
\ncommander Hendropriyono succeed him during PJSI's congress in
\nDecember last year.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, former KONI secretary-general MF Siregar
\nand Deputy Secretary of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association
\nHanafi Saud chose Wismoyo to take KONI's helm.<\/p>\n
Rio believed that Wismoyo would accept the new post provided
\nthat he understands that national sports will be facing more
\ndemanding challenges in the future. \"We aim to keep our
\nstranglehold on the Southeast Asian Games, maintain our gold
\nmedal wins in the Olympics and to host the 2002 Asian Games,\" Rio
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He ruled out the growing impression that KONI is a place for
\nretired government and military people. \"KONI is certainly not a
\nplace of exile. Instead, the body is a place where the fate of
\nnational sports is determined,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rio acknowledged that he was not close to Wismoyo, but said:
\n\"I favored him since our first meeting two years ago.\"<\/p>\n
KONI will vote for its president for the next four-year term
\nduring a three-day congress which starts here on Monday. The
\ncongress will also discuss sports development, finances and
\norganizational affairs.<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, KONI's incumbent president Surono avoided
\ncommenting on his successors. \"I will speak during the congress.
\nLet's talk about something like this at the right time,\" Surono
\nsaid upon installing the new leadership board of KONI's Lampung
\nchapter.<\/p>\n
Surono said he supported the idea of rejuvenating KONI's
\nleadership board. \"It's a great idea. I'm fully behind it,\" he
\nsaid. \"Everybody actually has the same chance to run for the
\npresidency post,\" he added.<\/p>\n
PGSI's new chairman, TB Silalahi, also took a wait-and-see
\nposture, saying that he will bow in the congress' decisions.
\nSilalahi, minister of administrative reforms, is one of 77 people
\nwho have the right to vote for KONI president.<\/p>\n
\"The new president, no matter who she or he may be, should be
\na person with strong motivation to develop our national sports.
\nHe or she should have enough time and a broad mind,\" Silalahi
\nsaid. (amd)<\/p>",
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