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)