Jakarta grooms 500 athletes

Jakarta grooms 500 athletes

JAKARTA (JP): Host Jakarta is grooming more than 500 athletes
in its strong bid to win the National Games for a record ninth
time next year.

Secretary General of Jakarta sports governing body, Eddy
Widodo, told reporters on Tuesday that the capital city would
need a whopping Rp 3 billion (US$1.3 million) to finance the
training center for the defending champion team.

"The budget will grow since we will have to provide funds for
additional training sessions for those who are selected to form
the backbone of our squad," Eddy was quoted by Antara as saying.
The long-term training center will kick off next month.

The 14th National Games will be moved up one year and take
place before their originally scheduled date in 1997 due to the
general elections. (amd)