BAGOC to learn from SEA Games

BAGOC to learn from SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Free spectator entry and incentives for world
record breaking athletes are two of the features of the SEA Games
which the Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) said
it might adopt when it hosts the continent's premier sporting
event.

BAGOC marketing director Santiparb Tejavanija said these were
some of the "various good points" which could be used in next
December's Games.

"All the sports are free for all the people," he said. "Even
though someone may not like sports, he or she can come to the
event and enjoy the games," he added.

To gain entry to many sports people have only been required to
show stickers bought while paying utility bills in the last six
months.

Santiparb also said that the hosts were promising to present
additional material rewards to athletes who broke world records.

"This kind of incentive is good," he remarked, adding that it
could help boost athletes' performances.

Speaking on the preparations for the Asian Games, Santiparb
said 379 gold medals in 36 sports would be contested.

Both he and Chetta Thanajaro, the chairman of the Thai Olympic
committee, stressed that preparations were underway and would be
complete well before the Games begins.

Irian Jaya

At a separate press conference the chairman of the Indonesian
Athletics Association, Mohammd "Bob" Hasan, said a synthetic
track would be built in Timika, Irian Jaya, to further the
development of the sport in the province.

He said the development, including dormitories for athletes
and coaches, would cost about Rp 250 million (US$ 70,000) and be
funded by the private sector.

Bob also thanked PT Freeport for its contribution to sports
development in the Irian Jaya. The mining giant sponsored the
1997 provincial championships and is expected to be the main
funder for next year's event. (04)