KONI gets Rp 1b from Samsung

JAKARTA: The National Sports Council (KONI) will be receiving Rp 1 billion (US$111,000) in financial support from Samsung Electronics Indonesia (SEIN), in a deal signed here on Thursday.

"The support stems from our perception of the mutual benefits sports provide the nation's interests," KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said after the signing.

SEIN was represented at the signing by president director Oh Suck-ha and marketing manager Lee Kang-hyun.

The deal is the latest financial support package KONI has sealed during its fund-raising campaign ahead of Indonesia's participation in the 2002 Asian Games, which will take place in Busan, South Korea, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.

KONI has budgeted Rp 32.5 billion for the quadrennial Asian sporting showcase, for which it is currently training 114 athletes to compete in 19 events.

Lee Kang-hyun said the money donated to KONI was part of SEIN's Asian Games promotional program in Indonesia, for which it had set aside $1 million. -- JP