BPGS gives Rp 5b to SEA Games training

BPGS gives Rp 5b to SEA Games training

JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) will
contribute Rp 5 billion (US$530,000) to financially help the
training program for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
Kuala Lumpur.

Gelora Senayan Executive Directors (DPGS) chairman Yasidi
Hambali said Tuesday that the financial support has been on the
board's agenda since it funded the Indonesian contingent for the
2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

"We are committed to support the sport programs not only for
the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Games, but also for the 2002 Asian Games in
Pusan, the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam and the 2004 Olympic Games
in Athens," he said after handing over the contribution
symbolically to KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.

KONI has so far received Rp 1.99 billion from the now defunct
state ministry of youth affairs and sports department to support
the training until December but the amount was far below the Rp
77.4 billion that is required.

The amount also covers the Rp 250,000 monthly allowance for
each athlete and Rp 400,000 for each coach.

KONI secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw has sent a letter to
BPGS requesting some Rp 67.48 billion of aid and a further Rp 5.8
billion to reward those athletes who manage to win gold medals in
the Games.

"It's impossible for us to contribute the total amount of Rp
70 billion," Yasidi said after attending the plenary session
meeting between KONI and sport organizations.

He also said BPGS would most likely contribute more money if
the national athletes make good progress during the training
session.

"We'll wait for the training development. The plenary session
will make recommendations to the six governors who are willing to
stage the centralized training program in their respective areas.
So we will see the result."

KONI official in charge of planning and budgeting, Togi
Hutagaol, said the council might further cut the number of
athletes and coaches in order to fit the budget.

The council has invited 1,125 athletes to join the first phase
of the program which focuses on physical training and will end
this month. They are training at their respective hometowns.

According to the training project manager Putra Astaman, the
athletes will be selected in January before entering the second
phase which focuses on athletes skills and competitiveness.

"Athletes will be invited to join the centralized training
program starting on Feb. 1. The beginning of the training will be
marked by a big ceremony here in Jakarta," he said on Tuesday.

"Hopefully, the Governors are ready for the centralized
training center before the schedule."

The size of the contingent will be reduced to 707 with 177
local coaches and 25 foreign coaches by the end of the training
session before they leave for Kuala Lumpur. The Games will take
place in September.

Indonesia will participate in 29 out of 32 sports featured in
the Games. (ivy)