Govt to award athletes, coaches and referees

JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to award athletes, coaches, officials, referees and various institutions with the Satya Lencana stars during the celebration of the National Sports Day on Sept. 9, says the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Hayono Isman.

Hayono said Monday that all athletes and officials who participated in the Uber and Thomas Cups will get the awards. Indonesia won both of badminton's most prestigious team honors three months ago.

The minister, however, indicated that world number one and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Susi Susanti might not get a medal since she already won one last year.

He explained that a team has been formed to evaluate who should get the prestigious medals. The team is made up of well- known sports figures including Maladi from soccer, Saleh Basarah from boxing, and Soemarsono from badminton.

Hayono also said -- without mentioning specific names -- that the government also plans to give such awards to four other athletes, three referees, one coach and five other prime movers other than those who were involved in the Uber and Thomas Cups.

In addition, Hayono said, four regional governments will also be rewarded for their roles in sports development.

"They are those who have allocated the most funds, the best facilities and the best training programs," said the minister.

He also said that four state-run educational institutions are in contention for the Satyalancana awards.

They include the University of Hasanuddin in South Sulawesi, Bandung Institute of Technology in West Java, teaching institute IKIP in Semarang, Central Java and IKIP in Padang, West Sumatra. (hdj)