ABC gives $30,000 to tsunami victims

ABC gives $30,000 to tsunami victims

Musthofid and Moh. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In another gesture of support from the sporting world to
victims of the Dec. 26 Asian tsunami, the Asian Badminton
Confederation (ABC) donated US$30,000 for assistance in Aceh and
North Sumatra on Thursday.

The National Sports Council (KONI) also announced on Thursday
that it was evaluating means to assist athletes affected by the
disaster.

The confederation's donation is being channeled through the
Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP); Rp 100
million, or approximately US$10,750, of the amount will be
disbursed through the Jakarta Humanitarian Volunteers Network
(JRKJ).

"We have entrusted ICRP and JRKJ to use the money for relief
aid in Aceh. ICRP is renowned for its nationwide campaign for
pluralism," ABC vice president G. Sulistiyanto said here on
Thursday.

Sulistiyanto symbolically presented the donation to ICRP
representative Musdah Mulia and Romo Sandiawan from JRKJ.

"We have deployed 50 aid workers to Aceh, 28 of whom are
located in Meulaboh," Sandiawan said, referring to the west coast
town that was virtually razed in the disaster.

Sulistiyanto also announced a donation from a number of former
badminton players grouped in the Indonesian Badminton Community
(KBI).

"They gave Rp 10 million. The amount is not significant but it
must be held in esteem as showing true concern from former
players. We are very concerned with the hardships suffered by the
Acehnese," said Sulistiyanto, who is also KBI's secretary-
general.

Eight-time All England men's singles champion Rudy Hartono and
former women's singles star Susi Susanti were among those at the
gathering. Notable lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis was also present to
discuss the disaster.

Separately, KONI chairman Agum Gumelar said KONI and several
sport organizations were collecting funds to be distributed to
athletes affected by the disaster.

He said the organization had received millions of rupiah in
donations to its account to be provided to the athletes or for
the school fees of their children in the future.

The Indonesian Kempo Association (Perkemi) had received
donations earmarked to rebuild damaged houses in Aceh of
athletes, while the Indonesian Karate-do Federation (Forki) had
opened a bank account for donations to karatekas, he added.

"I hope more donations from other sports organizations will
follow."

Several athletes and sports officials have been reported
missing since the tsunami, but Agum said on Tuesday it was
difficult to compile data on the exact number due to logistical
problems.