Fund delay holds up SEA Games bonuses

Fund delay holds up SEA Games bonuses

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has yet to
hand over bonuses to the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
medalists, Togi Hutagaol, the KONI official in charge of planning
and budgeting, told reporters on Wednesday.

Togi said KONI was still waiting for the fund from the state
minister of the empowerment of state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
From the Rp 7 billion (US$853,660) budget promised by the office,
KONI has only received Rp 2 billion and will request another Rp
1.5 billion for the bonus.

"KONI's treasurer is preparing the accountability report on
the Rp 2 billion fund which was used for the training center for
the SEA Games," he said.

"The Rp 1.5 billion check needs to be signed by the director
of state-owned Gas Negara, Qoyum Chandranegara, and a top Telkom
officer Setya P. Santoso."

"The Rp 5 billion from the office will be used for athletes
insurance, the training programs for the 2000 Olympics and
bidding for the 2006 Asian Games."

KONI received a budget of Rp 12 billion from the National
Development and Planning Board (Bappenas), the Gelora Senayan
Management Board (BPGS) and the state minister of the empowerment
of state-owned enterprises. KONI spent Rp 10.46 billion for the
Games training programs and sending the contingent.

The difference of Rp 1.54 billion was used to provide the
bonus, which reached Rp 1.96 billion, and also to pay premiums of
insurance bonuses of Rp 1.25 billion.

KONI has promised to hand over Rp 25 million for SEA Games
gold medalists, Rp 2 million for silver medalists and Rp 1
million for bronze medalists.

KONI chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, said that KONI would
stage a special ceremony to show appreciation for the Games
medalists soon.

"The details of the ceremony and the figure of the bonus are
being prepared by KONI's planning and budgeting officials. But we
won't just give the money directly to the athletes, we'll present
it in a very special occasion," he said.

Some 47 medalists have received their bonus but 26 others are
still waiting for theirs.

Indonesian paddlers questioned their bonus which was not
received as of Wednesday.

Jordan Yorry Moula -- representing teammates La Pada, La Ode
Hadi, Absir, Sayaddin, Iwan Setiawan, Syaiful Rohman, Agus
Rochiat -- urged KONI to hand over the bonus no later than Sept.
24.

"We have to go home on Sept. 25. If we don't take the money
with us, we don't know how to feed our families. Our SEA Games
allowance has gone. We really need the money," Jordan said.

The paddlers have to compete in the eighth Asian Championships
in Changde, China, from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20. They have not seen
their families since May due to the preparation for the Games and
the championships.

Karateka Omita Olga Ompi, the Games gold medalist, also
questioned the whereabouts of her bonus, saying it could add to
her bank account.

"I am waiting for the bonus. But I regret the extreme
difference figure between the gold medalists and the silver and
bronze medalists," said the assistant manager at MetLife
Insurance.

Indonesia collected 44 golds, 43 silvers and 58 bronzes in the
Games which put them in third place behind Thailand with 64
golds, 48 silvers and 56 bronzes and Malaysia with 58 golds, 46
silvers and 42 bronzes. (ivy/yan)