Thu, 14 Sep 1995

Hasan seeks second term in Asian athletics body

JAKARTA (JP): As the Asian Amateur Athletic Association congress draws near, chances are that timber tycoon Mohammad "Bob" Hasan--the association's incumbent president--is dreaming of being reelected for a second term.

"I think many (member countries) will choose Indonesia," Hasan said. It goes without saying that Hasan is set to becoming president again. He maintains that his reelection would be beneficial for the country's athletic development.

Under his management, Hasan stressed, certain administrative improvements in the management of member countries have been made, marketing programs to finance various association competitions have been launched and financial aid to poor member countries has been extended.

Being the association's president for four years, Hasan also named the major shortcomings of Asian athletes, especially those who come from developing or under-developing countries.

He cited lack of standard athletic facilities, lack of good physicians, lack of opportunity for tryouts, eating and drinking habits and lack of discipline as the most lamentable drawbacks.

Hasan now faces only one rival for the presidential seat, a Kuwaiti sheik, at the Sept. 19 congress, after the withdrawal of one other contender, a Saudi Arabian prince.

Opening

One day after the congress, Sept. 20, President Soeharto is scheduled to open the 11th Asian Athletic Championships in the Senayan Madya stadium, which will last until Sept. 24.

Thirty five countries have named their athletes, including some world champions, for the Rp 6.7 billion (US$2.95 million) meet.

As of yesterday, 40 member countries of the association have confirmed that they will take part in the four-yearly congress, to be held in the Shangri La hotel in Jakarta. Five other countries, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Palestine and Turkmenistan, are yet to fix their participation.

President of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, Primo Nebiolo, notified Hasan yesterday that he would not be able to come, and has asked Hasan to represent him.

As for Indonesia's chances of winning any medals in the largest athletic meet in Asia, Hasan said that the chances were not many.

"Standard Asian performances are still beyond our reach," he said. But it will be a good rehearsal for the Dec. 9 to Dec. 17 Southeast Asian Games (in Chiang Mai, Thailand), as well as good exposure for the country's junior athletes, he added. (arf)