Bob Hasan still oversees athletic body: Official

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)