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)