Government eyes efficiency in sports development

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)