Athletics body to award Rp 1.36b in scholarships to best athletes

JAKARTA (JP): Eight local sprinters, four men and four women, will get scholarships worth Rp 1.36 billion (US$560,000) if they perform to their best during the Junior Athletics Championships here from Sept. 19 to Sept. 20.

The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association, which is organizing the two day track and field event at the Madya Stadium, is providing the scholarships.

The association's chairman, Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, announced the scholarships Sunday at the opening of the Fourth National Students' Games in Semarang, Central Java.

"Each region may select its athletes to represent it at the Jakarta meet. The provinces can also send two men and two women athletes, and one coach and an assistant to the tournament. The association will provide transportation and accommodation costs to Jakarta," Bob was quoted by Kompas saying Monday.

Bob said the scholarships would be awarded to 100 meter sprinters who are no older than 19 years.

Education

The eight best runners will receive five-year scholarships. The money will be distributed over five years, the amount each year depending on the level of education.

The best runner will receive a Rp 75 million scholarship, while the eight best runners will receive Rp 50 million scholarships. Clubs and schools will receive Rp 5 million in training fees, while the coaches will get Rp 500,000 a month.

"The scholarships will be given every five years provided the athletes are still attending school and is able to maintain their performances. If an athlete drops out of school or ceases to be among the eight best, the scholarships will automatically be terminated," Bob said.

Bob said the scholarships aimed to find talented athletes who could make Indonesia internationally competitive.

"The association does not only want to produce athletes at the Southeast Asian level but also for the Asian Games and Olympics," Bob said. (lnt)