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)