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)