Govt covers Rp 2.5b deficit for Asiad

Govt covers Rp 2.5b deficit for Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): The government has agreed to cover a Rp 2.5
billion (US$164,000) deficit in the National Sports Council's
budget for Indonesia's participation in the 13th Asian Games in
Bangkok in December.

State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono
confirmed yesterday that the National Development Planning Board
had decided to provide the additional funds after the council
said it was finding it difficult to meet its estimated budget of
Rp 5.2 billion for the national team's preparations and costs
during the competition.

But Agung said there would be no more financial aid for the
council.

"This is the last. We cannot give more due to the current
economic situation," Agung said as quoted by Antara.

The government had promised to allot Rp 3 billion from the
state budget for the country's Asian Games team, but then cut it
by 10 percent.

Agung suggested that the council undertake fund-raising
activities itself if it wanted more money.

"They can raise public funds, perhaps. I believe the people
are willing to help the national team compete in the Asian
Games," he said.

Agung was very optimistic that the public would donate money
if the government gave transparent reports on the use of the
funds.

"I don't think the public will support a fund-raising program
through sticker sales the same way they did prior to the 19th
Southeast Asian Games last year," he said.

Council's chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, despite his
gratitude, said the money was not enough. He expected the
projected budget to swell to Rp 7 billion due to the sharp
depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar.

Wismoyo plans to hold a meeting with State Minister of the
Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng, and Minister of
Industry and Trade Minister Rahardi Ramelan, to find a way to
raise more money.

But Wismoyo said he would not ask for a help from a group of
businesspeople who have formed a special board of donors for the
council.

He also said that Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander
Gen. Wiranto had agreed to fly the contingent to Bangkok either
by Hercules or Boeing military aircraft.

In a related development, top male gymnast Jonathan Sianturi
is warming up for the Asiad in the Pre-Commonwealth Games in
Kuala Lumpur which is now underway through July 19.

"I hope to compete in all six events: floor exercise, pommel
horse, vault horse, rings, parallel bars and horizontal bar. I
feel I have improved during practice," Jonathan said before his
departure on Thursday.

Jonathan, who collected five individual golds and one team
gold in the SEA Games here last year, will be the only gymnast
representing Indonesia at the Asiad. (yan)