Gelora Senayan pledges transparent accountability
JAKARTA (JP): The Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) pledged for transparency on Thursday in the public accountability report of its funding to the National Sports Council (KONI).
Chairman of The Gelora Senayan Executive Directors, Yasidi Hambali, told a press briefing on Thursday any disbursement to KONI for training would be decided in a forum, consisting of the BPGS's chairman, who is also the state secretary, vice chairman who is the state minister of youth affairs and sports and secretary; and KONI's chairman.
The idea to set up the forum came from State Secretary Ali Rahman, who visited the management board on Tuesday, said Yasidi.
"Gelora Senayan complex is a national asset. It does not only belong to the sports community but also to this nation. Pak Ali insisted the board should maintain transparency in a public accountability report to avoid the bad impression that we are covering up our activities," he said.
"We also don't want people to perceive it must be the State Secretariat which decides if the management board should allocate funds to help sports training," he added.
Yasidi said the management board was prepared to reveal its financial status and deals with the sports council to the public.
"This is public asset. We are ready to answer questions from legislators and the public," he said.
Yasidi said all the financial assistance for the sports council was complementary, because the main financial source for sports development came from the government.
"KONI receives most of its financial aid from the government. Up until now, BPGS's financial aid has been only complementary," he said.
Yasidi also said the sports council should make an accountability report on the use of the funding.
"There should be accountability for all funds we have allocated to KONI. We will use accountability reports as inputs for our report," he said.
The management board's official in charge of operational affairs, Mohammad Sarengat, said it would build more venues and recreational spots in the complex next year to raise more funds.
"We want to commercialize Senayan sports complex. We want to make it a sports complex which also serves as a tourist attraction," he said, accompanying Yasidi on the briefing.
Sarengat said the board would set up a park for athletic meets, surrounded by flea markets and sports attractions.
"For example, visitors could ride elephants or horses in the park. We also want to organize street vendors in this complex."
Sarengat said a group of former athletes, including body builder Ade Rai, Tae kwon doin and actor Dede Yusuf and national sprinter Purnomo have asked to set up a fitness center in the complex.
"All activities will not disturb the centralized training center in the complex," he said.
Sarengat, a former national sprinter, said there was a sponsor for the development but he declined to name who. (ivy)