Asiad bid

Asiad bid

From Media Indonesia

I wish to propose to Indonesia's sports leaders to bid for the
2010 Asian Games and not the 2006 Games. I have the following
reasons:
1. I have heard that the target for the 2006 Asiad is only a
sixth ranking overall, i.e. just over 10 medals, below the 25
medals won by Kazakhstan and Thailand in the previous two Asiads.
2. The policy for fostering achievements in sports here in the
future will reach its optimum level if it has the strong support
of the country's organizers. It means that sports leaders must
start now, with the first Cabinet formed by the president elected
in this year's general election, fighting for a Ministry of
Sports again. A ministry automatically works with plans and has
the certainty of a budget. Besides, sports laws must prevail.
3. Current sports leaders are obliged to prepare cadres for a
sports leadership starting 2003. Ideally, starting that year, the
National Sports Council should be led by people not older than 40
to 50 years. The hope is on them to realize the 2010 Asian Games
bid. The target of the Indonesian contingent? No less that fourth
in overall ranking!

ZAINAL ARIFIN

Jakarta