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."