Hayono against over-publicizing of Games bonuses

Hayono against over-publicizing of Games bonuses

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Hayono Isman said yesterday that the bonuses handed over to the
best 19th SEA Games athletes should not be over-publicized.

"I think it's better to give the bonuses quietly and not
exaggerate them because not all sports organizations can provide
handsome bonuses," he said.

"But it is more difficult to control if the bonuses come from
private companies."

Hayono was commenting on the sports organizations and
companies which were giving generous bonuses to some athletes.

Former disgraced swimmer Chaterine Surya, who rediscovered her
Midas touch at the regional sports gathering, surprisingly became
the richest woman athlete after she picked up a bonus of Rp 242
million (US$76.000) for winning three gold medals.

This was her share of the Rp 1.2 billion offered in bonuses by
the Tirtamas Group to swimmers and coaches at the Games.

Richard Sam Bera, who won three golds, received Rp 222.5
million and Rita Mariani, who also won three golds, received Rp
220,000,000.

Hayono said: "We appreciate our athletes and coaches who have
dedicated all that they have to Indonesia's achievement in
sports. And I really respect their spontaneous gesture to give
some of their bonuses to help our brothers and sisters in Irian
Jaya, who have suffered from drought."

The swimmers gave two percent of their bonuses to the drought
victims.

"If the public companies keep providing the bonuses, the
public will start asking and judging it as an overreaction."

Hayono said the publication of the bonuses after the Games was
in stark contrast to the Games preparations, which were marked by
a lack of funds.

"It's very contradictory because we faced a lack of funds to
stage the event but after Indonesia won, many people want to give
bonuses to the athletes. It seems the Games did not have any
financial problems.

"But we have to realize that many companies have promotion
funds which are given to outstanding athletes or other public
figures."

Hayono said the government must have a special board in the
next cabinet to control sports funding, to oversee athletes' and
sporting development.

Bonuses were also given to Felix Sutanaznit (Rp 122 million),
Elsa Nasution (Rp 32 million), Meitri Pangestika (Rp 42 million),
Wisnu Wardana (Rp 22 million), Tyas Titisaridan (Rp 50 million)
and Lenny Puspita (Rp 50 million).

Divers and water polo players who did not win any golds were
also awarded bonuses.

Hashim also gave bonuses to coaches Lukman Niode (Rp 30
million), Gerald Item (Rp 30 million), Iskandar Suryaatmadja (Rp
15 million), Irsan Sutedja (Rp 15 million), Suwarto Thomas (Rp 15
million), Ida Djamain (Rp 10 million) and Dinda Rachmani (Rp 10
million).

Deserve

Hashim said the swimmers and coaches deserved the bonuses as
they had spent so much time training for the SEA Games.

"I only hope that this can encourage other swimmers to follow
in the footsteps of their seniors. I also hope that the
Indonesian swimmers not only prove superior in the SEA Games but
also at the Asian Games and the Olympics."

Tirtamas Group has also helped PRSI to the tune of Rp 1.2
billion for the SEA Games training sessions.

Rahardi said that the bonuses given to the swimmers should be
used wisely.

"The bonuses were intended to help the swimmers' education
while overseas, which is expensive," Raharadi said.

Rahardi added that overseas training would be continued since
it was considered very effective.

"In the United States, for instance, our swimmers not only
train but at the same time continue his or her studies," Rahardi
said.

Earlier yesterday, Hayono solved the allowance problems of the
660 youths who took part in the Games opening and closing
ceremonies.

Hayono said some donors have helped to solve the problem, but
only for half the youths.

The 660 youths only received Rp 200,000 while the flag and
participating countries' board carriers received more.

Wing Prasetyo, representing the youths, said that the
organizers did not have any more funds and Hayono had given out
his own money to help them.

"We are really glad that the minister heard our complaints and
helped us with his own money. It's not a problem if only half of
us received the money, which is Rp 50,000 each. We'll give it to
our friends who live outside Jakarta and come from low income
families." (yan/lnt)