Athletes leave apartment for modest lodgings
Athletes leave apartment for modest lodgings
JAKARTA (JP): A financial shortfall has forced the Indonesian
Amateur Athletics Association to remove 23 athletes and five
coaches from their apartments in the Senayan sports complex.
The association's secretary-general, B. Chaidir, told
reporters yesterday that athletes and coaches were now staying in
a modest dormitory in the nearby Madya Senayan Stadium.
"The economic crisis has forced us to set a strict budget. It
is impossible for us to cut the budget for athletes' food
expenses and stadium maintenance so we have opted to reduce
expenditure in other areas, including housing," he said.
Chaidir said the association used to pay US$9,600 a month for
six units in the Fairbanks Apartment complex.
It also used to spend about Rp 40 million (US$2837) each month
on electricity, telephone and water bills. Monthly allowances for
the athletes cost Rp 15 million and it pays each of its three
local coaches Rp 2.3 million per month and its two Ukranian
trainers $2,250 per month.
In addition to the above, the association spends Rp 23.6
million every month on food for its athletes.
Chaidir said the association would not extend the contracts of
its two foreign coaches if their charges failed to make any
progress in the near future. Both coaches contracts are due to
come up for renewal in December.
Women's middle-distance walker Tersiana and male and female
pole vaulters Nunung Jayadi and Hendarsin are among the athletes
coached by the two.
Also yesterday Chaidir called on the National Sports Council
to consider picking women's long-distance runner Ruwiyati for the
13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.
Chaidir said the 20-year-old runner, currently undergoing
medical treatment for a back injury, had a great chance of a
medal in the Asiad marathon after her success in the Sheares
Bridge and Army Half Marathon in Singapore early this month.
The women's marathon will be the first gold medal awarded in
the Games.
Ruwiyati set her personal best of 2:34.29 in winning the 18th
SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, three years ago. The Asian
record of 2:24.07 set by Wang Junxia of China in 1993 remains
intact. (yan)