KONI has problems raising Rp 77 billion for SEA Games

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)