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Mon, 21 Feb 2000

JP/Central Java urged to drop bid to host PON

Central Java urged to drop bid to host PON

SEMARANG (JP): The Central Java legislative council urged the provincial administration not to continue its efforts to host the 16th National Games (PON) after losing to South Sumatra in last week's bidding for the Games.

The chairman of the council's Golkar faction, Noor Achmad, said on Saturday South Sumatra should be named to host the Games, adding that it would be a good opportunity to hold PON outside Java.

"If Central Java doesn't host the 16th PON, the administration can use the Rp 10 billion (US$1.35 million) which was originally set aside for PON to empower the people," he said.

South Sumatra defeated Central Java in the bid during the National Sports Council (KONI) plenary meeting on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16.

South Sumatra received 33 votes, Central Java got 23 votes, North Sumatra secured four votes and West Java received one vote.

KONI will submit the bids of South Sumatra and Central Java to the government and the President will then decide which province will host the next PON.

Noor said that although Central Java still had a chance to host PON, he preferred a province outside of Java be given the opportunity to stage the national event.

He said Central Java was the second poorest province in the country, so the money earmarked for PON would be useful in other areas, including renovating primary schools and increasing the salaries of teachers, who currently earn between Rp 15,000 and Rp 50,000 per month.

"The KONI Central Java chapter must not force itself to host PON. The province already hosted the first PON in Surakarta in 1948.

"If South Sumatra hosts PON, the people there will be proud because the province will be the first outside of Java to host PON," he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the KONI Lampung chapter, Herwan Achmad, urged KONI to select South Sumatra to host the 16th PON.

"It is time to give an opportunity to a province outside of Java to host PON, and Lampung supports South Sumatra as the next host," he was quoted by Antara as saying. (har)