Harmoko supports National Games

Harmoko supports National Games

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko has pledged the ministry's full support to help make the 14th National Games a success.

"Every effort will be made to enhance the dissemination of information on the Games to the public," Harmoko said. The former journalist made the statement upon receiving R.S. Museno, who heads the Games' managing committee, at his office yesterday.

Both the state-owned television station TVRI and the state- owned radio station RRI will coordinate broadcasts of all the events and supply news for other television and radio stations.

Museno also asked that the print media be allowed to have additional sports pages for more in-depth coverage of the Games as well as additional pages for ads.

Museno, who is also Jakarta's deputy governor, said he will soon call a meeting of the media's chief editors in order to brief them on the committee's news dissemination policy.

Jakarta will host the 14th National Games, scheduled from Sept. 9 to Sept. 20. A total of 5,049 athletes are expected to take part in the Games, which will feature 35 sports for competition. Exhibitions in baseball, wall climbing, motocross, wushu and roller skating will also be held.

The funds for organizing the quadrennial Games are estimated at Rp 31.5 billion (US$13.7 million). Museno said the funds will be obtained through tickets, sponsorship, a special budget, the city budget as well as the state budget. As always, the Games are expected to boost the performances of Indonesia's athletes to a new high. (arf)