I have the time for KONI, says Agum
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The newly elected chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), Agum Gumelar, who is also the transportation minister, promised that he would be able to devote enough of his time to manage the organization.
"Given my position at the transportation ministry people have expressed doubt that I have the time for KONI. Trust me, I have time for KONI," the transportation minister said after his election.
Agum says he plans to run KONI according to the principle of the "total soccer way" employed by coach Rinus Michels to run the Dutch national soccer team in the 1970s.
"The Dutch team was the dominant force in the early 1970s, without Rinus Michels joining the players on the field.
"He transferred his ideas to the likes of Johan Cruyff and Arie Haan.
"Total football carries the philosophy that we do not necessarily have to get directly involved to run KONI. The important thing is that we must be able to coordinate the team.
"That is why it does not matter how much time I can afford to give to KONI. Three days, two days ... does it matter? What matters most is that the organization runs regardless of the time I have for KONI," he said.
Agum promised to appoint professionals to KONI's board, which he also plans to trim down. The KONI board currently has 71 members.
"I will restructure the organizational board with a view toward employing as few officials as possible to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
"No matter their background, from what sports organization they come, as long as they are reliable I will recruit them for the team," he said.
Looking ahead, Agum said he would push sports organizations and KONI's provincial chapters to revive their development programs.
Indonesian sports is at a low point, following disappointing campaigns at the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.
"I will also encourage state enterprises to lend a helping hand in the effort to spur sports development," Agum said.
"I love this nation and I'm ready to commit myself to using sports to increase the dignity of the country. I do not want to disappoint the sporting community," he said