KONI has problems raising Rp 77 billion for SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The Kuala Lumpur 2001 SEA Games are less than one year away but the National Sports Council (KONI) is still encountering difficulties in raising the Rp 77.4 billion (US$9.1 million) required for the Indonesian contingent's preparations.

"The budget arrangement is for a full scale contingent comprised of 707 athletes, 177 local coaches and 25 foreign coaches," KONI's official in charge of planning and budgeting, Togi Hutagaol, told reporters on Thursday.

"As regards our present circumstances, we might as well limit the number of competing athletes to potential medal winners only. KONI still has to discuss the matter."

Previously, KONI had planned an even larger budget of Rp 99 billion for a contingent of 829 athletes, and 169 local and 33 foreign coaches.

"The difference in the budgets was because we were originally making plans for 452 events in 37 sports before the organizers decided to have only 401 events in 33 sports," said Togi.

"So far, KONI has yet to decide in which sports and events our athletes will compete. But we will definitely miss three sports; lawnball, netball and petanque."

Togi also revealed the difficulty facing KONI in raising the financial resources required for the games.

"KONI received Rp 1.99 billion from the now defunct state ministry for youth affairs and sport for the decentralized training center. Each athlete will receive a Rp 100,000 allowance per month," he said.

"We are really relying on the government to finance our squad. It's our expectation that the newly installed KONI Foundation officials will be able to help out financially with our preparations."

Regarding the Sydney Olympics, Togi said he was still calculating all the expenses but expected a surplus of less than five percent out of the Rp 6.9 billion budget.

"We received some Rp 7.7 billion for the Olympics with the breakdown being Rp 4 billion from the government, Rp 2 billion from the Senayan Management Board (BPGS), Rp 1 billion from McDonald's Indonesia fast food restaurants and Rp 520 million in cash and Rp 250 million in electronics equipment from Samsung Indonesia."

"Out of that sum, KONI only allocated Rp 6.9 billion for the Olympics. We are still calculating the actual expenses so I don't yet know how much the precise surplus will be but I think it's about Rp 300 million," he added, saying that the money would be used for SEA Games preparations.

Other possible funding sources for the Kuala Lumpur games include McDonalds which actually collected Rp 1.6 billion under their program to support the Indonesian Olympic contingent. The original agreement had said that the firm would hand over the excess cash if they managed to raise more than Rp 1 billion. (nvn)