Government eyes efficiency in sports development
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid defended on Monday the dissolution of the office of the state minister of sports and youth affairs, noting the government was seeking efficiency in sports development.
Addressing the national Olympic contingent at the Bina Graha presidential office, Abdurrahman said sports development was now the job of the National Sports Council (KONI), putting an end to years of overlapping roles by the council and the now defunct office of the state minister.
"Let KONI develop national sports, with the government focusing on supervision and providing facilities if necessary. We will do no more than that," the President said.
As a result of the Cabinet reshuffle, sports will fall under the Ministry of National Education through the Directorate General of Informal Education and Sports.
Gus Dur, as the President is known, added that the closure of the office of the state minister would dispose of the long- standing image of the government's inclination to meddle in social activities, including sports.
In his first days in office, the President dissolved the information and social affairs ministries. The decision sparked nationwide criticism, largely centering on the fate of employees of the two ministries.
Indonesia will send 48 athletes, 23 coaches and 19 officials to the Sydney Olympics, which will take place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. The first batch of the national contingent will depart on Friday, while the second and third batches will fly to Sydney on Sept. 5 and Sept. 10, respectively.
Commenting on the national team, Gus Dur said: "I entrust Indonesia's reputation to you. The country's glory and prestige are in the hands of the athletes."
Professional
In response to the President's statement, KONI deputy chairman Arie Sudewo said the council would enjoy more authority in promoting sports development in the country.
He said the council might restructure itself in response to its new role. "We, for example, will also tackle professional sports, which presently are supervised by a separate agency called BAPOPI. We will also have to discuss who will advocate sports among schoolchildren."
Arie admitted, however, the additional authority given to KONI would not change its dependence on state funds.
"We now have to ask for financial support from the government through the national education ministry," he said.
Meanwhile, mobile phone operator PT Telekomunikasi Selular Indonesia (Telkomsel), a subsidiary of PT Telkom, signed an agreement with KONI to provide 100 Halo postpaid mobile phone cards to the national Olympic team. The cards come with international roaming facilities.
Telkomsel president director Mulia P. Tambunan said each cardholder would be given 10 free minutes of international calls. (ivy)