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