Coca-Cola focuses of the world of sports
Coca-Cola focuses of the world of sports
The Coca-Cola system in Indonesia was the proud recipient of a
special government award for its role in contributing to the
development of sports in the nation. The state decoration for
sports was awarded to representatives of the company by Vice
President Try Sutrisno in September of this year.
Coca-Cola in Indonesia is the first corporate winner of the
award.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Hayono Isman cited the
Coca-Cola system in Indonesia for its sponsorship of numerous
sports events and sports scholarship programs. In particular, the
system's involvement in supporting junior soccer development
across the archipelago was recognized. Soccer is the most popular
sport in Indonesia.
Minister Hayono added that Coca-Cola's contribution to
national sports development in Indonesia is a fine example of a
good corporate citizen and one which other companies should
emulate.
"The Coca-Cola system in Indonesia is very appreciative of
this honor," said John Brady, Managing Director of PT Coca-Cola
Indonesia. "We view our involvement in sports as a continuous
process by which we can contribute to the development of young
people in Indonesia."
The Coca-Cola system Indonesia is a major sponsor of national
and international sports events in Indonesia, including junior
soccer, tennis, badminton, golf and athletics.
This year, in tennis alone, the system sponsored the Indonesia
Men's Open in Jakarta, which was won by Michael Chang; two Davis
Cup ties between Indonesia and opponents from the Philippines and
Switzerland; and a series of exhibition matches between
Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki and Argentinean top tenner Gabriela
Sabatini.
Coca-Cola in Indonesia also supported the Ministry of Sports
and Youth Affairs efforts to build basketball awareness by
bringing Hakeem Olajuwon to Indonesia. The center guard for world
champion Houston Rockets presented a National Basketball
Association ball to Minister Hayono and conducted a clinic with
the National Youth Basketball team. He also filmed a Coca-Cola
commercial with local youths which will air in 1995.
In soccer it sponsored the 29th Asian Youth Championships in
Jakarta in September of this year. It also contributed an awards
funds for Indonesian medal winners at the 12th Asian Games in
Hiroshima of Rp 80 million (around US$36,697). The funds also
prepared the Indonesian team with trade-marked bags and sports
shirts.
One of the most meaningful sports contributions is the annual
presentation of scholarships to talented junior soccer players at
the national junior soccer championships, Brady says.
"These scholarships allow talented players from low-income
families to continue their education without the worry of paying
school fees," Brady notes. "Our aim is to help them become
talented soccer players and educated individuals."