Central Java optimistic over hosting PON

SEMARANG (JP): Central Java Governor Mardiyanto remains hopeful of the province winning the right to host the 16th National Games (PON) in 2004 despite losing in preliminary voting.

"Central Java still has the chance to host the 2004 PON and the decision will be up to President Abdurrahman Wahid," he said here on Friday following Wednesday's voting during the plenary meeting of the National Sports Council (KONI).

Mardiyanto said that he would accept whatever the President ultimately decided.

"What is most important is that Central Java is well prepared to host the event, although improvement is still needed.

"Should the President decide Central Java will host PON, we will accept and try our best to be a good host," he said.

Mardiyanto said that Central Java had allocated some Rp 12.5 billion (US$1.6million) in the 1999/20000 provincial budget.

"If we are not picked as host, it's all right, because the money is still intact. We haven't started to build the sports facilities for PON."

Central Java will allocate a total of Rp 106 billion if it is selected to host the event. Apart from the budget allocation of Rp 12.5 billion, it is also expecting contributions from the government and business sponsorships.

In the voting, South Sumatra finished first with 33 votes, followed by Central Java with 23, North Sumatra with four and West Java with one vote.

Earlier, Chairman of the Central Java sports council Djoko Sudantoko said the province provided some Rp 40 million to insure the athletes who would compete in the 15th PON in Surabaya, East Java, from June 19 to June 30.

"The provincial sports council will give incentives to athletes and officials. We will not cut the amount of the insurance and the incentives," he said on Monday.

He said each athlete and official received Rp 250,000 a month. He also said that his office would grant a total of Rp 1 billion in bonuses to athletes who could win a medal at the event.

"The provincial council has agreed to the plans to give bonuses, incentives and insurance. The incentives and insurance will be distributed in March," he said. (har)