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)