KONI is expected to pay for archers' expenses

KONI is expected to pay for archers' expenses

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani)
deputy secretary-general, Andi Suhendro, has expressed hope that
the National Sports Council (KONI) will pay the expenses of the
Olympics women's team during their one-month stint in South
Korea.

"We really hope that KONI will be able to pay for the four
women's archer's expenses during their tryouts in South Korea for
one month. Hopefully, the incentive KONI gives will be the same
as that given to tae kwon doins," he said on Thursday after a
meeting with KONI and sports organizations.

Perpani is grooming Hamdiah and Lusia Elisabeth to compete in
the Olympic Games in Sydney in September. They will be
accompanied by two of three athletes: Dahliana, Rosena Gelanteh
and Purnama Pandiangan.

Senior archer Nurfitriyana has resigned from training due to
her age of 38. Assistant coach Daniel Lumalesil also plans to
resign from his post, but Perpani has yet to approve the move.

Andi also expressed dissatisfaction at the Rp 50,000 (US$6.70)
per day for room and board allotted to national athletes being
groomed to compete in the Sydney Olympic Games.

"The amount is not enough because food prices have been
increasing lately. Perpani has to buy our archers' extra food to
meet their nutritional needs," he said.

The KONI vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, said KONI would not be
able to fulfill all sports organizations' demands to pay for
their overseas training programs.

"KONI only provides $1,800 for overseas stints twice to each
sports organization. But during overseas training, we still give
them the Rp 50,000 daily board and lodging fees," he said.

"If the cost of overseas training is more than $1,800, it's
the organizations' job to cover the expenses."

Arie said that KONI would also help sports organizations pay
foreign coaches' salaries.

"We have to discuss the figure with the organizations. If we
can pay for all foreign coaches' salaries, then we'll do it. If
we can't, the organizations must help us by paying half of the
amount."

Andi said Perpani hoped KONI could pay for South Korea coach
Lee Jae-hyun's expenses during his stay here. Lee receives $2,000
salary in U.S. currency and $1,000 salary in rupiah at an
exchange rate of Rp 5,000 to the dollar. Andi hoped KONI could
help pay the rent for Lee's house and car.

Speaking about Perpani's debts owed to several parties, Andi
said the Perpani chairman, Hayono Isman, had returned from his
business trip in London and had ordered him and secretary-general
Udi Harsono to handle the problem.

"We are discussing our debts with some people and will pay
them off soon," he said, adding that nearly Rp 100 million was
owed. (yan)