KONI looks abroad to raise funds for sports development
KONI looks abroad to raise funds for sports development
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) will help
promote Indonesian sports in the international arena as part of
efforts to raise funds for sports development in the country, a
KONI executive said on Friday.
Arie Sudewo, KONI deputy chairman, said that the council would
cooperate with businesspeople and sports federations, which have
proven capabilities dealing with international sports bodies.
He said details of the agreement between KONI and the sports
federations had not been decided. He also did not disclose when
the arrangements would commence.
"KONI will be the center for the national sports industry.
Sports will become a marketable commodity, but we will need the
federations' help to make the scheme a success," Arie, a retired
Army lieutenant general, said.
One of the objectives is to enable the council to serve as a
promoter of tournaments featuring the world's leading athletes,
according to Arie.
"We could invite overseas soccer teams, for example, to play
at Senayan stadium. I'm sure it will attract many spectators," he
said.
He said the council would not meddle with the sports bodies'
primary task of grooming athletes, finding sponsors and paving
the way for athletes to start professional careers.
"If we can sell our sports for money to be used to train
athletes and improve their welfare, I think they would gradually
become professionals," he said.
The scheme will be internally supervised by KONI officials in
charge of business, media and promotion affairs.
Foreign coaches
Arie also said KONI would give its support to any sports
bodies which planned to hire foreign coaches.
However, he said permission would be given only to sports
federations whose athletes could win medals in international
sports events such as the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympic
Games.
He said that instead of importing coaches, KONI hoped to
develop national coaches and promote them to the regional and
international sports community.
"A sports federation which insists on hiring world class
coaches should think of their budget. If they can't afford to
sign top foreign trainers, wouldn't it be better for them to
employ national coaches?" he said.
Indonesia has so far exported three badminton coaches who
formerly played for the national team. The three are Indra
Widjaya, Atik Djauhari and Ardy B. Wiranata. (ivy)