Indonesia still lacks basic sports facilities
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).