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.