Bob Hasan still oversees athletic body: Official

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Amateur Track and Field Association (PASI) is conducting business as usual, despite the ongoing police investigation into its boss, timber and banking tycoon Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, an official said on Thursday.

PASI secretary general Barmawi Chaidir, said Hasan would remain the association's major financial backer at least until the election of a new chairman next year.

"Every month he donates at least Rp 250 million (US$23,600) to finance the association's programs, including the training sessions for the 13th Asian Games," Chaidir said.

Hasan, former president Soeharto's close business associate and minister of trade in his short-lived cabinet, has been named a suspect in an investigation into the misuse of central bank liquidity credits. He partially owns Bank Umum Nasional, currently suspended for banking rules violations.

Chaidir warned it would be difficult to find a suitable replacement for Hasan, who has been in office for eight years.

"We have to think seriously whether to elect a new chairman. I also suggest those who are interested in taking over from him (Hasan) should think twice," he said.

"It's very important for us to maintain our talent scouting and athletes development programs. Track and field needs a lot of money while the association doesn't have any sponsors. You know that we can't sell our athletes."

The election was scheduled for December but has been moved back until after the elections in May.

The association is currently grooming marathon runners Ruwiyati, Suryono and Eduard Nabunome, long-distance track runner Supriyati Sutono, long jumper Nyoman Rae and walker Tersiana Ruwirohi for the Asian Games, which takes place in Bangkok from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20.

Only Supriyati and Ruwiyati have so far been named to represent the country in the continent's biggest sporting event.

The association also plans to stage the second trial for the games in Purwokerto, Central Java later this month. All athletes currently being groomed for the Asiad, except marathoners, will compete in the trial.

The first trial was held at the Senayan Madya stadium in August.

Dormitory

Chaidir also said that the association has suggested that the Gelora Senayan Management Board build a dormitory at the Senayan Madya stadium complex.

"The management can build a three-story building in an empty area behind the stadium. The first floor can be used as classrooms and a library, the second and third floors can be used as bedrooms and dining rooms," he said, adding that he had seen such a dormitory in Berlin.

The association intends to move its athletes from the Fairbanks apartments on Jl. Pintu Satu Senayan to a modest dormitory at the Senayan Madya stadium to save on costs.

Chaidir said the association could no longer afford to pay the annual rental rate of $9,600.

Gelora Senayan executive director Yasidi Hambali, said he could understand the association's financial problem, but it would take a long time to fulfill the request.

"It's more important now to continue the athletes development program. I think the temporary dormitory at Madya is quite comfortable," he said.

Yasidi said in the long run the board would build an athletics center at the Madya stadium. He said the board would ask for recommendations from the National Sports Council.

"The center must have a special place for seminars, clinics and lodgings. We are looking for the best design for the center," he said. (yan)