Indonesian Olympic team secures fund
BANDUNG (JP): Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunadar retracted on Thursday his concern over fund scarcity which has plagued Indonesia's preparations for the Olympic Games in September.
"There are no more obstacles left concerning the fund for the 2000 Olympics," Wismoyo announced here during his visit to the training center for the Paralympic Games, which will follow the Summer Games in Sydney.
Wismoyo said KONI had secured the Rp 6 billion Indonesia required to send its athletes to the world's largest sports event, which are to be held for only the second time on Australian soil.
The statement came after weeks of speculation that KONI could not afford to provide the funds, and thus could not fulfill Indonesia's preparations for the Olympics.
Many had earlier expressed fear of a financial shortage Indonesia might face since its economy had not recovered. No sports officials were able to confirm whether the fund-raising program for the Olympics was a success.
Wismoyo further said KONI had also secured a commitment from several companies wishing to provide cash bonuses for Indonesian athletes who win medals at the Olympics.
"There have been some sponsors and companies ready to give complimentary bonuses and honors to the medal winners," Wismoyo said, adding that sports equipment producer Yonex, electronic giant Samsung and energy drink producer Extra Joss were the companies which promised to provide the rewards.
However, he refused to reveal the amounts of the cash bonuses to be given to winning athletes.
"We haven't gone that far, but it is certain that we will provide incentives," he said.
The men's doubles badminton team of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky shared Rp 500 million in cash after winning Indonesia its sole gold medal in the previous Olympics in 1996.
Indonesia again will rely on its badminton players to win medals in Sydney.
Wismoyo was more frank on the country's representatives to the Paralympic Games, the major sports event for the disabled. He promised Rp 20 million in cash bonuses for each gold medalist.
Indonesia will feature 45 athletes in the Paralympics, to be held a week after the Olympics. Head of the national training center for the Paralympics, Syamsul Masri, said Indonesia was eying two golds from men's weightlifter Harsono of Palembang and men's air rifle specialist Ongko Suratin of Medan.
Syamsul told Wismoyo that his team needs Rp 145 million more to finance the training session and daily needs of athletes during their stay in Sydney. KONI and the government have disbursed Rp 105 million and Rp 350 million respectively for the national Paralympic team. (25)