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)