Hayono inaugurates new sports compound in Sentul
Hayono inaugurates new sports compound in Sentul
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono
Isman yesterday opened a Rp 4 billion (US$1.8 million) sports
compound in Sentul, Bogor.
Situated near the international motor racing circuit, the new
facilities are owned by the Indonesian Volleyball Association
(PBVSI). PBVSI built the posh sports complex as part of its
strategy to win double gold medals at the December's Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, later this year.
The Indonesian men's spikers achieved a golden hat trick in
the past three SEA Games, while their female compatriots suffered
a setback. The national women's team finished third behind the
Philippines and Thailand in the 1993 Games after winning the
silver in 1989 and 1991.
Two 1000-seat volleyball stadiums highlight the five-hectare
compound, whose construction began in September 1993. Its
supporting facilities include two sand courts for volleyball
exercises, tennis courts, basketball halls, a swimming pool and
jogging tracks.
A library, offices, a fitness center, a polyclinic, a multi-
purpose hall, four 20-person dorms and a 40-person dorm (not yet
complete) were also built within the complex.
PBVSI chairman Kunarto said after yesterday's ceremony that he
strongly believed the new training center was critical for
Indonesian players in their efforts to catch up with their Asian
and other world-class counterparts in the future.
Kunarto pointed out that some Asian countries already have
world-class teams, and that the new sports complex, officially
named Padepokan Volley Indonesia, should enable Indonesia to keep
up with them.
PBVSI was the first among four sport organizations which
refused to send athletes to the Asian Games in Hiroshima last
year, saying that it would not be able to win the medals expected
by the National Sports Council (KONI). The Indonesian men's
volleyball team finished second behind Japan in the Asia- Pacific
championship, a warm-up for the Games.
Kunarto, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Audit
Agency, said that upon completion, construction costs were
estimated at Rp 5 billion.
Hayono, reiterating Kunarto's belief, said he was optimistic
PBVSI would achieve its goal, not just because of the sports
compound, but because PBVSI's management was second best only to
the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).
The national spikers will try out the new facilities when they
start their training stint for the SEA Games. (arf)