Governor urges counterparts to stop poaching athletes

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): Governor of South Sumatra Rosihan Arsyad has called on other provinces to stop poaching athletes for the 2004 National Games (PON).

"I want all of us to stop the poaching that usually takes place prior to PON. This is not good for athletes' development or their future. It would be better if we help develop athletes from zero," Arsyad said at a seminar on Tuesday concerning South Sumatra's readiness to host the 16th PON.

It is an open secret that some provinces pay big amounts of money to lure potential medal winners from their rivals in order to help boost their overall standing in PON.

The National Sports Council (KONI) has been working on setting up new regulations to control the practice, but it still occurred in the 2000 PON in Surabaya.

Arsyad said based on personal research, athlete poaching had a bad influence on all sports components in the country, including athletes' achievements.

"This practice never teaches athletes to take their careers seriously or professionally. Provinces just need them for PON. Their post-event future has always been discarded.

"Despite the spirit of togetherness, provinces are responsible for grooming powerful and professional sportspeople for the country's bigger need in international events.

"Even as the host for PON, I am ready to get fewer medals as long as they come purely from my own athletes, ones trained by and in my province."

However, Arsyad realized that his appeal would be difficult for other provinces to honor.

"Yes, I really know that it has been going on for a long time and it will be hard to eradicate it in a short time."

KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, who attended the seminar, threw his weight behind the call.

"I agree that it would be much better if every province produced its own athletes. I will include a ban on athlete poaching in the sports bill, which is expected to be endorsed by the end of this year." (33)