Government urged to bypass KONI, fund sports bodies directly
JAKARTA (JP): A sports observer is urging the government to funnel its funds for sports development from the National Development and Planning Board (Bappenas) directly to sports organizations, bypassing the National Sports Council (KONI).
The appeal comes as the country's sports community conducts serious soul-searching after its humiliating third-place finish in the medal tally at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam two weeks ago. It was the country's worst finish in the event since its debut in 1977.
Games defending champion Indonesia won 44 golds, far off its target of 70. Archrival Thailand was the top medal-winner, with Malaysia usurping Indonesia for second place.
Benny Mailili said on Wednesday that if the government was truly concerned with sports development, it must declare its conviction in the State Policy Guidelines and include funding for sports in the State Budget.
"Let's say the government doesn't have to finance all sports organizations' programs but only 10. If it can providing funding of Rp 1 billion (US$130,300) to each, then the government would only needs Rp 10 billion to groom the 10 prioritized sports," said Benny, who is the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) deputy secretary-general.
"If sports organizations get Rp 1 billion a year, I believe they can groom their athletes all year long and intensify domestic competitions, I believe the public will be interested in sports again."
He faulted the disbursement of the money through the sports council.
"Thus far, Bappenas has dispensed the funds to KONI which uses the money to stage training programs only a few months prior to a multisports event. It's ineffective and a waste of money."
For the Brunei Games, KONI spent Rp 10.5 billion on transportation of the contingent and holding three-month-long training programs.
Benny said KONI officials must be willing to reform their organization and themselves for the sake of national sports development.
"KONI's role in the sports community is only as a facilitator and mediator among sports organizations and to communicate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"We need professionals in KONI who understand each sports organization's programs and characteristics. If they are really serious to take our failure as a reflection on our development system, they must start the training programs for the 2001 SEA Games and the 2002 Asian Games from now."
Benny said the Ministry of Education and Culture was not doing enough to popularize sports among the country's youth.
"The ministry should have increased the quantity of the physical education curriculum in schools to let the students enjoy sports and build their character. Nowadays, the government only pays attention to the top level athletes and not to young talents."
Benny dismissed the evaluation held on Tuesday by KONI with sports organization about the Brunei fiasco.
"The evaluation did not give a solution on how we can improve the situation."
Separately, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said a special task force, chaired by Indra Djati Sidi, would study the evaluation reports.
"The task force will have until Monday to find the best solutions to the problem."
Arie blamed fund constraints which hampered long-term training and scuttled plans to send athletes to compete abroad. He also cited the abbreviated training period, which he said was insufficient for the athletes to reach their peak.
"Another problem was weak sports 'intelligence' prior to the Games because many officials complained about the lack of information on the strength of their rivals," he said.
"But many of them admitted that Thailand and Malaysia successfully groomed their athletes despite the economic crisis in the region."
Arie said most Indonesian athletes failed to maintain their physical conditioning after they returned home and they would have to start their training from zero. (ivy/yan)