Govt puts sports on back burner, minister says

Govt puts sports on back burner, minister says

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
Laksono concedes the government's attention to national sports is
lacking and much needs to be done to polish the professionalism
of coaches and athletes.

During an evaluation of the past year in national sports held
on Thursday, Agung said politics and the economic crisis were the
government's priorities.

"You know that in the decrees of the People's Consultative
Assembly, sports were not involved even in the reform era. We
don't even have the sports law although it was discussed several
years ago."

Agung expressed hope new members of the House of
Representatives from the general election in June could use their
initiative rights for the sports law.

"By having the sports law, every member of the sports
community -- including athletes, coaches and referees -- have
precise rights and position. The law can also urge the community
to improve national athletes' development programs in the future.

"Even if we don't have it now, we shouldn't be pessimistic and
desperate," he added.

Agung said the next government must pay better attention to
sports. He also hoped for an end to all political and economic
turmoil in 1999 to enable the sports community to focus on their
international challenges.

"I hope the government can create a peaceful condition in the
country politically and economically in 1999 which will improve
our condition in 2000. With a better situation, we can reach our
target to finish sixth in the 2002 Asian Games."

Indonesia has launched the Golden Garuda project to groom
young athletes for the 2006 Asiad, with an aim to finish at least
sixth in the quadrennial event.

In the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December, Indonesia
finished 11th with six golds, 10 silvers and 11 bronzes. Golds
were brought home by women's runner Supriati Sutono, women's
tennis player Yayuk Basuki, men's windsurfer Oka Sulaksana, men's
karateka Arief Taufan Syamsudin, the men's badminton team and the
men's badminton pairing of Ricky Ahmad Subagja and Rexy Ronald
Mainaky.

It was double the number of Indonesian golds won at the 1994
Asiad in Hiroshima, Japan. All those medals were earned in
badminton.

"If we look at the golds, our achievement has improved 100
percent, but if the basis is on our ranking, we are still far
behind other Asian countries, including Thailand," Agung said.

The host nation finished fourth in winning 24 golds, 26
silvers and 40 bronzes. In the previous Asiad, it only won one
gold, 11 silvers and 13 bronzes.

"If in 1999 the chaotic situation continues, I guess it will
be a threat to the Golden Garuda project," Agung said.

He urged each sports organization to identify its strengths
for major events.

"In track, we've proved that our best is in the middle
distance run discipline. We must urge athletes not only to win
the gold, but also to set a new record, either Asian or world."

The government offers bonuses for record breakers, but they
were not collected by the Asiad winners.

Agung said the National Sports Council's goal prioritization
could extend to sending younger or second-string athletes to
events such as the Southeast Asian Games.

"Of course, we always want to win, but we must understand
which event we should compete in. If our Asiad gold medalists
have to compete in the Southeast Asian Games, it wouldn't make
sense anymore."

Sports Council

Agung said the sports council had its work cut out for it in
1999, including at its national congress to arrange a new program
and elect officials.

"The council must think hard about raising funds to finance
sports development at the national and provincial levels. It must
mobilize businesspeople to voluntarily participate in financing
sports development."

As an example, Agung said if the council could collect Rp 500
billion (US$62.5 million) for bank deposit, it would be able to
finance sports development in the country.

"But the fund-raising shouldn't leave a bad image with the
public, such as what happened in the 1997 SEA Games here. People
could become apathetic about sports in the future."

The SEA Games was financed by a now notorious consortium
chaired by former president Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo.
It raised funds through charges, known euphemistically as sticker
sales, on public services. The consortium, which claims its
operations ran into the red, owes money to the Gelora Senayan
Management Board, the reforestation fund, hotels and several
sports organizations.

"Such fund-raising should not occur in the National Games and
other sports events here," he said.

Agung said the council should also strive to enhance the
skills of coaches to draw out top performances from their
charges.

"Coaches should also improve their knowledge, as well as
athletes, to perfect their form in competition. In sports
development in the future, both athletes and coaches must
comprehensively work harder."

Agung also urged the council's provincial branches to more
actively hone athletes for national training camps.

"Grooming athletes in provincial branches is not easy due to
their lack of funds and facilities. In the 1999, the council must
focus its development on these branches."

Agung said the council should build an international-standard
sports complex outside the capital but close to a university
campus if it was sincere about hosting the 2006 Asiad. He cited
the University of Indonesia campus as a possibility.

"I think Depok still has about 120 hectares which could be
used to build five stadiums and an athletes village. Those
facilities can be used by students afterward."

Nevertheless, it seems more likely that neighboring Malaysia,
host of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and India will bid for the
2006 Asiad.

"The problem in building such a complex is funds. It's
impossible to use the Senayan complex as it's really crowded," he
said. "If by 2006 we can't provide such facilities, we must wait
for another four years to host an Asiad." (yan)