KONI flexible in deciding sports event priority

KONI flexible in deciding sports event priority

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has left the
decision on whether Olympic-bound athletes should compete in the
15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June to their
individual sports' organizations.

The council's vice chairman Arie Sudewo told reporters on
Thursday the council would wait for training program reports from
sports organizations that were allowing Olympic-qualified
athletes to perform in the National Games.

"KONI's aim is for athletes to reach their peak form in the
Olympics. We have decided all athletes preparing for the Olympics
must not compete in local events in order to avoid disturbing
their training programs. But if competing in PON is a part of
their training program for the Olympics, we can allow it. I
believe sports organizations know their athletes' capabilities
best," he said.

So far, 14 athletes from swimming, diving, windsurfing,
archery, track and field, weightlifting and tae kwon do have
qualified for the Olympics in Sydney in September. Some 20
badminton players are also expected to join the contingent after
the qualification deadline on April 30.

Arie said KONI told its provincial branches during a meeting
with National Games' organizers in Surabaya on Monday not to
force Olympic-bound athletes to compete at the games to get
medals.

"We asked them to put national interest above local interest.
There will be many provinces who will lose the opportunities to
win medals in some events," he said.

State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela
had urged sports organizations earlier to prioritize the Olympic
goal during training, fearing injuries during competition at the
Games.

Sinambela also said he would invite sports organizations to
discuss competition priorities if they insisted on fielding their
athletes at PON.

Separately, top national windsurfer Oka Sulaksana said he
hoped to perform at PON to help improve his form for the
Olympics. He was certain he could avoid injury.

"This is not about bonuses or provincial prestige, but
windsurfing is different from other sports. Windsurfers need to
perform in many competitions to improve their stamina," the 1998
Asian Games gold medalist was quoted by Antara as saying.

KONI's Bali branch executive director I Gusti Ketut Adhiputra
said he was ready to meet Sinambela to discuss fielding Oka at
PON.

Meanwhile, KONI's secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw said the
council would ask communication minister Agum Gumelar to grant a
discount on tickets for sea, land and air transportation to
relieve the financial burden of about 10,000 athletes and
officials from 25 provinces traveling to the Games.

"KONI will send a letter to the minister to ask for a discount
in order to help the provinces send their contingents," he said.
(ivy)