Indonesia told to follow example of Seoul Olympics

JAKARTA (JP): The 1988 Seoul Olympic Games should become an essential point of reference if Indonesia hands the organization of the Southeast Asian Games next year to the private sector, a former sports official said yesterday.

Kahpi Suriadiredja, former secretary general of the National Sports Council (KONI), suggested yesterday that Indonesia imitate the working system applied by Seoul, among others, in organizing supporters, providing press accreditation and press room, and accommodating participants.

Kahpi was invited by KONI Chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday to give advice to the sports council, which is in charge of the 19th SEA Games being held here next year. Wismoyo has been named chairman of the Games' organizing committee.

Indonesia will play host to the SEA Games for the third time since its initial involvement with the biennial sporting event in 1977. The government appointed an underwriting consortium led by Bambang Trihatmodjo last month to earmark a whopping Rp 70 billion (US$30.4 million) set to finance the Games.

The government also decided that the Games will be held during October's school holidays.

Indonesia has proposed 25 sporting events to be held next year, but the final decision will be made at the SEA Games Council Member meeting here in August.

Kahpi said that more than 90 percent of the liaison officers in the Seoul Olympics, who were recruited from local residents, worked voluntarily.

"But I don't think we can ask help from volunteers in the SEA Games next year," he said.

When asked about Indonesia's major goal of regaining its supremacy in the regional sporting meet, Kahpi said: "Let's just wait for a miracle."

"Thailand has now moved a step ahead of us. For the next SEA Games, it is willing to put forth its finest young athletes. At the same time, Indonesia still relies on old athletes, because it doesn't want to take the risk of fielding the younger ones," he said. (05)