Ananda receives kudos from Megawati
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri has thrown her weight behind Indonesian Formula 3000 driver Ananda Mikola's ambition to promote the country during competition seasons abroad.
Ananda's father, Tinton Suprapto, quoted Megawati as saying that Ananda's achievement on the international circuit would help Indonesia to improve its image.
She made the comment at a Friday evening meeting at her residence with Ananda and Tinton. Also attending were State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela, State Minister of Tourism and Arts Hidayat Jaelani and Ananda's manager, Piers Hunnisett of England.
"He (Ananda) is a national tourism envoy and his role should be increased. We have to be very proud of him because he can still compete overseas despite the economic crisis suffered by our country," Megawati said.
She also asked Ananda to remain focused on his goals, because he was still searching for a spot in the Formula One Grand Prix.
Ananda has been based in Italy for the past three years while he competes in Formula 3 and Formula 3000 events.
He earlier said that he was bombarded with questions on East Timor during the last serie this year following the international furor over the bloodshed in Indonesia's former 27th province.
Nineteen-year-old Ananda is scheduled on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 to take part in the FIA F3000 International racing test in Barcelona, Spain.
Tinton said that in the meeting, Ananda requested support from the government for his performances in the world arena.
"The minister and Ananda's team manager explained about Ananda's activities. He needs support from the government and related institutions to help him achieve them," he told Antara on Friday.
Former national racer Tinton and his team earlier in the week paid visits to the offices of the state minister of tourism and arts and the state minister of youth affairs and sports.
Mahadi and Hidayat have pledged to support Ananda starting from his participation in the F3000 rally to the F1. (ivy)