Ex-athletes gather to seek a better future
Ex-athletes gather to seek a better future
JAKARTA (JP): About 150 former athletes gathered for the Great
Reunion of Athletes from Three Eras organized by Prestasi Anak
Bangsa Foundation at the Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Stadium in
Senayan, Central Jakarta on Sunday to seek a better future.
Former 1960s shuttler Ferry Sonneville, who is also the
foundation's chairman, told reporters the reunion mainly aimed at
registering all former national athletes.
"We must admit that not all former athletes are having a
decent standard of living after their glorious days. There is a
former cyclist who is today a becak (pedicab) driver while
another athlete works as a security guard."
"By registering them, the foundation can channel donations to
needy athletes. We will also provide business and leadership
trainings as well as scholarships."
The number of former athletes who attended the gathering was
far below the foundation's expectation. It had earlier expected
about 2,000 athletes to attend.
At Sunday's reunion, the establishment of the National
Athletes Brotherhood of Indonesia (PANI), which aims to improve
the welfare of former athletes, was announced.
The attendees appointed 13 former athletes to PANI's board of
executives. They are Arie Soedarsono, Ferry Sonneville, Henri
Pribadi, Icuk Sugiarto, Lily Sampurno, Lintje Rumbay, Maulwi
Saelan, Meity, Muhammad Sarengat, Purnomo, Sri Hastuti Merdiko,
Syamsul Anwar Harahap and Tan Joe Hok.
The foundation's vice executive director, Purnomo, said the
foundation would provide financial and other assistance to those
who joined the brotherhood.
"PANI members will receive, for example, financial assistance
to help expand their businesses," he said.
"We will also provide legal assistance to athletes having
problems with their sports organizations."
Purnomo, Indonesia's best sprinter in the 1980s, also promised
the foundation and brotherhood will be run as professionally and
transparently as possible.
"We will hire professionals to handle the business and
management matters.
"The foundation has a professionally-run business unit which
provides goods and services. We have patented Wahana Atlet
Olahraga Wirasakti (WAOW) as our trademark."
He also lamented the fact that the National Sports Council
(KONI) and most sports organizations did not have an athletes
commission in their structure.
Former basketball player Henry Pribadi said the reunion had a
noble cause.
"We can exchange our experience and knowledge for our mutual
benefit as well as the country's," he said.
The foundation will launch WAOW's products -- which includes
apparel and canned drinks -- on Feb. 17 at Mulia Hotel.
KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar expressed hope, during the
reunion, that sports would serve as a tool to improve the
nation's tarnished image.
"By performing well in sports, we can improve our country's
image."
Wismoyo also urged former athletes to help improve the
performance of their juniors and also sports organizations.
"We finished second in the Jakarta 1962 Asian Games but was
only placed 11th in the 1998 Asiad. I hope former athletes,
through the foundation, can contribute their ideas on how to
improve sports for the sake of our country." (nvn)