IOC to grant $1,000 scholarships

JAKARTA: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to give three-year US$1,000 scholarships to Indonesian athletes who show significant promise.

The scholarships, which are part of a worldwide program, will be awarded from 2006 to 2008 when the Olympic Games are held in Beijing.

Secretary-general of the National Sports Committee (KONI) Djohar Arifin, said on Wednesday that the IOC had not said how many athletes would be awarded, but that it would be up to KONI to sort it out.

Aside from the scholarships, according to Djohar, local sports administrators -- from KONI or other organizations -- would be encouraged to participate in IOC-sponsored training programs and seminars abroad. -- JP.