KONI questions govt's will to support SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) reiterated its call to the government on Thursday to help finance the national squad to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur in September.

KONI needs Rp 48.6 billion (US$4.7 million) from a total of Rp 77 billion to fund the third phase of its centralized training program beginning in June.

The Rp 48.6 billion comprises Rp 22.5 billion for training, Rp 20.3 billion for sports equipment and transport fees to Kuala Lumpur and Rp 5.8 billion for medalists' bonuses.

KONI heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday after receiving Rp 10 billion -- half of which will be handed over next month -- from the Gelora Bung Karno Management Board (BPGBK), adding to the board's donation of Rp 2 billion in December.

KONI's official in charge of planning and budget, Togi Hutagaol, said the council would rely heavily on the government's support.

"We hope the government will help us. Hopefully, we can collect Rp 10 billion promised by an official of the Ministry of Finance last month."

Togi said that Bank Mandiri had pledged to give another Rp 10 billion. KONI has also been approaching some companies to collect Rp 3 billion.

"We are still negotiating with Bank Mandiri, because we still need to reach agreement with them over how they will be rewarded in the sponsorships. Our officials are also approaching companies which supported us in the 2000 Olympic Games, including Samsung, Telkomsel or McDonald's fast food firm."

The Gelora Bung Karno Executive Directors (DPGBK) chairman Yasidi Hambali handed over a cheque for Rp 5 billion as a contribution to KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar at a meeting with officials from 29 sports organizations which will take part in the Games.

Due to the financial limitations, Wismoyo urged sports organizations to reduce their dependency on KONI. On the other hand, he continued to urge the organizations' officials to fulfill the maximum medal target they had submitted.

"I hope we can join hands in overcoming the financial restrictions. But we also have to work hard. We will be very disappointed if athletes don't train hard due to the difficulties and fail to fulfill our target."

Indonesia has targeted a minimum of 60 golds and a maximum of 109 in Kuala Lumpur. In the 1999 Games in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia managed to finish third following arch-rival Thailand and Malaysia.

A few sports organizations, such as the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI), Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and Indonesian Volleyball Federation (PBVSI) have confirmed that they will self-finance their training programs.

But other sports organization officials said they still needed KONI's contribution.

"We have to groom our pesilat (fighters) before competing in any sports events. The fighters, who were selected from the 2000 National Games for the SEA Games training, have yet to fulfill the physical fitness requirement. So the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) had to boost them and we need money for that purpose. We're not complaining but we have plenty of under- trained athletes," said IPSI chairman Eddy Nalapraya.

SEA Games deputy training director Putera Astaman said besides the financial difficulties, KONI also has to deal with worn-out sports equipment and poor medical test results.

"From the analysis and evaluation, we found that 50 percent of our athletes who underwent the medical test did not meet our standard," he said.

As of March 31, there were 855 athletes and 186 coaches being groomed in the training program. (ivy)