Bonuses for athletes

Bonuses for athletes

From Neraca

The urge to reward high achievers, particularly those enhancing the image of the nation in international fora, is understandable. But now donors are overdoing it. There is an impression that they are competing to give the biggest bonus.

It has become fashionable to give bonuses to successful athletes. East Kalimantan province, for example, has promised to give a bonus of Rp. 5 million to any gold medalist, and Rp.3 million and Rp. 2 million to silver and bronze medalists respectively in the 14th PON (National Games), as reported by Kompas, Sept. 5, 1996.

Why don't they consider the negative impact of this approach? Bonuses will tantalize the athletes, and they won't be motivated by the achievement itself, but only by the bonuses.

Prize-giving is of course okay, but they should not announce it before the athletes do anything.

ANANG SUPRATMANTO

Jakarta