Indonesia still lacks basic sports facilities

SURABAYA (JP): One of the reasons why Indonesia is still lagging behind other countries in sporting performance is a lack of standard sports facilities, according to Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.

To overcome the problem, funds should be donated by Indonesia's business magnates, Soesilo said after opening a new sports stadium at the East Javanese capital's second state-run university, the Institut Teknologi 10 Nopember Surabaya (ITS) on Saturday.

"To produce world-class athletes, we need (financial) support from magnates. I think Rp 5 billion is enough to build adequate sports facilities and I believe this won't be a burden for them," said Soesilo, a former deputy chairman of the National Sports Council.

The new stadium was built by PT Citraland Surya, owned by Ciputra Group. The company is reported to have spent more than Rp 1.2 billion on the project.

With a seating capacity of 1,000, the stadium is located on a two-and-a-half-hectare site inside the ITS campus. It has a 105 x 66-meter soccer field and track and field facilities, such as a running track and long-jump and pole vault sites.

The business group, which is owned by real estate tycoon Ciputra, has been very successful in Greater Jakarta. It began expansion into Surabaya a few years ago.

Though situated inside the ITS, the stadium is open to the public.

"Standard and basic facilities for track and field, such as these, are rare. On the other hand, we have 128 golf courses throughout Indonesia. Isn't it ironic?" Soesilo said.

Golf course

The Ciputra Group is now completing the transformation of some 2,000 hectares of barren land about 15 kilometers to the west of Surabaya into an 18-hole golf course housing complex. Ciputra has vowed that it will be one of the world's best golf courses.

The par-72 layout is now in operation and already has 600 members. Membership will be limited to 1,000.

"Nature has created this beautifully and we, mankind, are beautifying it with care," Ciputra said.

He has invited American golf designer company Dye, ranked among the best 10 golf course specialists in world, to turn the land into a golfing hub.

"Greens as perfect as those here cannot be found elsewhere," Ciputra said while touring the course.

The course is designed to let golf enthusiasts play at night. It is the second course in Indonesia to allow night golf, the first being the Modern Golf and Country Club located in Tangerang, West Java. (arf).