Govt's commitment to sports questioned
Govt's commitment to sports questioned
JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to abolish the state
ministry of youth affairs and sport in August showed its lack of
commitment to develop sports in the country, the former incumbent
of the ministry said.
The ex-minister, Abdul Gafur, regretted President Abdurrahman
Wahid's decision and at the same time questioned the government's
commitment to sport.
"The ministry's abolition was pitiful because its existence
had been fought for for several years. Even developed countries,
such as Australia and the European nations, have their own sports
ministries," he said.
"The government's political commitment to sport is really in
question. It must reestablish the ministry."
He was speaking during a coffee morning held at the National
Sports Council (KONI) offices in Senayan, which was also attended
by KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.
Gafur said that sport was the only thing this crisis-torn
nation could turn to in order to promote patriotism and
nationalism irrespective of people's backgrounds.
"It's the only tool we have now for national character-
building and for boosting our patriotism and nationalism," Gafur
said.
"Everyone here cheered whenever our shuttlers of Chinese
descent won a title, Thomas Cup or Olympic gold medal. There were
never any questions asked about our shuttlers' ethnicity or
religion when they were representing this country."
According to Gafur, there were things that could only be done
by the government rather than by KONI.
"KONI can't charge cigarette levies, for example, or any other
levies to raise funds for sports' development. But the government
can easily impose such levies," he said.
Meanwhile, Ismangoen Notosaputro, a legislator and member of
the House of Representatives Commission VI on human resources and
religious affairs, said the House would deliberate a sports bill
following the abolition of the state ministry.
"We have asked KONI to provide the House with suitable drafts
for such a bill. We have also requested input from KONI experts
on how we should manage our sporting development," he told the
participants.
"The House will deliberate the bill in the middle of next year
and pass it by the end of 2001," he added.
Wismoyo said the decision (to abolish the ministry) had been
taken and sports activists had to adapt and be ready to face such
changes.
"The important thing is to maximize the public's participation
as desired by the president," he said.
"The abolition of the state ministry has left KONI as the sole
body charged with developing sport in this country. The question
is whether we have been granted enough power and rights. It's
useless for us to try without having the proper authority," he
added. (nvn)