Governor urges counterparts to stop poaching athletes
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)