KONI gets Rp 5 billion for Olympics preparation

Zakki Hakim , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Sports Council (KONI) received Rp 5 billion (US$590,000) in financial assistance from the Bung Karno Sports Complex management (BPGBK) on Tuesday to help cover the cost of Indonesian delegation for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

According the chef-de-mission, Indra Kartasasmita, the money would only cover a part of the Rp 25.7 billion total needed to prepare and send the national squad to Greece.

KONI, Indra added, would also get another Rp 5 billion package pledged by the National Education Ministry through the Directorate General for Sports Affairs.

Given the soaring budget, the amount pledged would be far less than what is needed, but Indra said that he was optimistic about getting all the money, as KONI was currently negotiating for sponsorships.

"We will manage to cover the remaining cost, somehow," he said, adding that KONI chairman Agum Gumelar was currently in talks with several sponsors.

Indra, who is also in charge of planning and budgeting affairs at the National Sports Council (KONI), said that Rp 14.13 billion of the fund would be allocated to cover expenses during the training program, Rp 5.6 billion for the dispatch of the delegation to the event, and Rp 5.9 billion for bonuses and allowances.

More financial help is also expected from official sponsors of the Olympics through the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Indra said.

The 2004 Olympics will run from Aug. 13 to 29.

Indonesia has secured 18 slots so far for the world's biggest multi-event sporting spectacle: archery (2), swimming (3), weightlifting (7), windsurfing (1), tae kwon do (2), tennis (1) and track and field (2).

The tennis and track-and-field qualifiers will be going to Athens as wild card recipients.

KONI is counting on more spots from cycling, badminton, rowing, judo, boxing, beach volleyball and diving, as the qualifiying for those has not been finalized.