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)