Indonesia launches bid to host 2006 Asian Games

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia launched here on Friday its campaign to host the 2006 Asian Games. Indonesia last hosted the Games in 1962.

The bid was announced during a breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Utama Hotel in the Brunei Darussalam capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei is currently playing host to the 20th Southeast Asian Games.

In attendance were representatives from eight Southeast Asian countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Vietnam was not represented at the meeting.

National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar told his guests Indonesia was serious about its bid.

"To reach the goal, we have made all necessary preparations, including drawing up a master plan of infrastructure and organization," he said.

He also announced Indonesia's bid theme: Go for the best with honor.

The deputy director of the Gelora Senayan sports complex management board, Muhammad Sarengat, said Indonesia would build an athletes village near the Senayan sports complex and renovate Senayan Stadium as part of its bid.

"We have two options: Demolish the Fairbanks athletes apartment or build the village on a plot of land on Jl. Patal Senayan behind the Senayan golf course," he said.

He said it was hoped a private company would construct the village in exchange for management rights of the facility after the Asian Games ended.

Wismoyo said after the meeting Asia's major sporting event should be held in a Southeast Asian country to motivate countries in the region to unite in overcoming the economic crisis.

The 2002 Asian Games will take place in Pusan, South Korea.

Indonesia will be competing with Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, Qatar, Syria and Uzbekistan for the right to host the 2006 Asiad. The Olympic Council of Asia will announce the winning bid in October 2000.

Malaysia National Olympic Committee president Tan Sri Imran Ibni Tuanku Jafar, who attended the breakfast meeting, expressed optimism his country would win the bid, particularly in light of its success in hosting the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in September last year.

"We held the Commonwealth Games very successfully. We already have the infrastructure which meets international standard, and basically this is the reason why we bid for the Asiad," he said.

Budget

He declined to unveil Malaysia's allotted budget for the Asiad bid campaign.

"I can't comment on that. We have a considerable amount for the campaign," he said. Malaysia launched its bid on Aug. 3, and its campaign will reportedly cost US$ 2.2 million.

KONI secretary-general Rudolf Warouw said Indonesia's campaign budget would likely be around $1 million.

Wismoyo said Malaysia and Hong Kong were its toughest rivals. "Malaysia has the facilities while Hong Kong is more experienced in looking for sponsors."

He said Jakarta, the city which is the proposed host of the Asian Games, was safe enough for the event. "Sports are a binding factor for Indonesian people. They will unite in overcoming challenges to the country's sporting interests."

After a series of riots last year, Jakarta remains vulnerable to politically motivated unrest ahead of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, which will meet to elect a president in November.

Thailand National Olympic Committee president Cheeta Thanajaro said it would be difficult for him to choose between Indonesia and Malaysia because both countries were in the same region.

"It would be better if Indonesia and Malaysia discussed this beforehand to decide between them which country was more prepared for the Asiad. The Southeast Asian community will back the bid of either of them," he said.

Cambodian National Olympic Committee president My Samedy concurred, saying: "We are looking for one candidate from the region so that we can give them full support."

Philippines National Olympic Committee deputy president Salvador Andrada, meanwhile, supported Indonesia's bid.

"This is the right time for Indonesia to bid for the Asiad. Indonesia has a good chance to win," he said.

Indonesia chose the National Monument as its bid logo and the orangutan as its mascot. (ivy/yan)