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)