KONI counts the cost of tsunami

KONI counts the cost of tsunami

Agencies, Jakarta

The human toll of the tsunami that struck Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam and North Sumatra on Dec. 26 has inevitably been felt
in the country's sporting world.

At least 96 athletes have died or are missing in the tsunami
in Aceh, the National Sports Council (KONI) reported on Friday
after visiting the province.

KONI head of organizational affairs Hendardji told Antara news
service that the list of athletes included seven from fencing,
traditionally one of the strongest sporting disciplines in the
province; five soccer players; six boxers; three volleyball
players; two weightlifters; four pencaksilat athletes; nine chess
players; 55 karatekas; two archers as well as at least one from
athletics and badminton.

Hendardji said a 10km run was taking place on the morning of
the disaster in Banda Aceh, but there had yet to be a definitive
report on the number of athletes who were lost from the local
chapter of the Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI).

"We have asked several times about the victims from the 10k
run, but they don't have confirmed data. From the data that we do
have, which includes organizers, referees, the jury, coaches and
family members, a total of 297 died or are missing."

As part of its action to help in the recovery of sports in
Aceh, KONI has set a target for the province to be represented at
the pre-National Games XVII (PON) in 2007 and at the Games itself
in Samarinda the following year.

Recovery efforts include renovation of sports facilities, with
22 sports arenas listed as severely damaged and nine sustaining
minor damage.

"If they need coaches because there are none now, KONI is
ready to send them there for specific disciplines," he added.

The organization is also trying to determine which of the
athletes was a member of the Indonesia Awakens national training
program.

"I've asked for the local officials to submit their report by
this Tuesday at the latest."

One athlete who narrowly escaped the disaster was karateka
Bambang Maulidin.

The 2003 Southeast (SEA) Games gold and 2002 Asian Games
silver medalist was at home in Ponge Ujung, Banda Aceh, two
kilometers from the coastline, when the quake hit at about 8 a.m.

Although none of his family was killed in the quake, his
house, built with bonuses from KONI, for his medal-winning
victories, was demolished in the resulting tsunami.

His two teenage brothers also survived, but the whereabouts of
other family members, including a sister who was engaged to be
married, was unclear.

Bambang and his brothers, aged 18 and 15, were brought to
Jakarta with the assistance of the Indonesian Karate-do
Federation (Forki) and KONI in January.

"I wish to work again as my office in the Regional
Development Bank (BPD) in Banda Aceh was destroyed. I was told
that Pak (Mr.) Hendarji is trying to get a job for me in Bank
Mandiri. I hope it's true," Bambang told The Jakarta Post last
month.