Games consortium seeks more sponsors

Games consortium seeks more sponsors

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council and the 19th
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games consortium, known as PT Tata
Insanimukti, held a presentation on the benefits of sponsoring
the Games yesterday for 30 national and international companies.

The presentation was to invite more private firms to finance
the biennial event, which will run from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

The council's chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, who is also the
Games organizing committee chairman, said he hoped more national
companies would become sponsors.

"Sports events will be the perfect promotion arena in the
future. This is the first time we have staged the SEA Games with
a consortium cooperation. It has to go smoothly," he said.

The consortium's promotion and business deputy, Enggartiasto
Lukita, said a lack of information about the Games was the main
reason national companies were unwilling to sponsor the event.

"After they receive a full explanation at today's
presentation, we expect them to join us," he said.

During the presentation, Sports Corporation, which was
appointed to raise sponsorship money, announced companies which
had agreed to sponsor the Games.

National Panasonic, Tiger Beer, Konica, Seiko and Satelindo
will be the official partners while Aqua, Nikon, Gatorade, Garuda
Indonesia, Sunrise and Walls will be the officials suppliers.

So far only National Panasonic has made a downpayment
(US$600,000). The rest of the money will be given after the
event.

Tiger Beer, Konica and Satelindo have signed memorandums of
understanding.

"All sponsors will give between 10 and 25 percent of their
sponsorship money in downpayments and pay the balance after the
Games," Enggartiasto said.

The nine-day event will be covered by TV channels for 949
hours, 864 hours for regional coverage in all 10 participating
countries, 72 hours for Pan Asia coverage and 13 hours for
international coverage. (yan)