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.