Games organizers told to fix problems

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport has told organizers of the 19th SEA Games to fix their non-technical problems and start promoting the event.

The minister's assistant, Imam Sujudi, said Tuesday: "The organizers must work harder, and I urge them to solve all the problems because the event is only two months away."

Imam said the organizers were well prepared for the Oct. 11 to Oct. 19 biennial event.

"I see that Senayan Main Stadium is being renovated but the organizers must work harder to repair all the facilities at all the venues," he said, commenting on reports of out of order toilets and broken water pumps.

"Athletes and spectators must feel happy, secure and comfortable at the venues. If we can't provide this for them, how can we call ourselves good hosts?"

Imam said he was relieved that the synthetic turf for field hockey would be ready in time. The Rp 1.2 billion (US$457,143) field hockey turf should be ready by the end of the month and will be tested by the International Hockey Federation.

Late payment

Commenting on reports of late payments to health workers Imam said he would investigate the matter.

Five officials from the Games' drug testing division complained Monday that they had been waiting for their Rp 400,000 a month wages since April.

"We have been working for the National Sports Council since November 1996, and we were being paid. But just several months before the SEA Games our payments have stopped," said Dangsina Moeloek, the drug testing division head, quoted Antara.

Dangsina said she and her colleagues were making no demands, but wanted to know why they had not been paid.

"Some athletes, coaches and officials receive their payments regularly, but some don't and we are not given any explanation," she said.

Imam said the organizers must explain the problem clearly and solve it soon.

"I'll ask the health committee about the problem soon. I hope it can be solved soon," he said. (yan)