KONI ready to submit proposal on sports bill
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) said it was ready to submit a proposal to the House of Representatives asking for an amendment to the presidential decree governing the council's duties.
The council also will urge the House to deliberate a sports bill it has proposed.
"The obsolete Presidential Decree No. 43/1984 says KONI only has two functions: to formulize national sports policy and to coordinate sports activities through sports organizations," the chairman of KONI's task force that drew up the proposals, Kamil Husni, said on Thursday following a three-day meeting of the council.
"We proposed adding the duty of coordinating sports organizations for multisports events at every level and allocating part of the state budget and provincial budgets for KONI."
Kamil emphasized the task force only was suggesting an amendment to the presidential decree.
"We are only submitting our proposals; it is up to the government and the House whether to accept the proposals.
"This is also true of our suggestions for the sports bill. KONI will leave it up to the government and the House to deliberate the bill," he said, adding that the task force had proposed 62 items for inclusion in the sports bill.
"The bill will clearly define the government and KONI's duties and roles in developing sports in the country. The government is responsible for providing sports facilities nationwide, as well as financial aid and tax breaks for sports equipment."
Kamil said the suggestions were meant to flesh out the regulations concerning sports in Indonesia.
"We, for example, suggest providing certain protections and rewards for athletes during and after their playing days. But we did not go into detail as the idea has only be stated in the decree instead of the bill.
"The bill will also discuss doping issues, as we consider this a crucial matter for sports development here."
He said KONI would maintain its independence even though the bill calls for the council to receive funds from the state budget and provincial budgets.
"KONI will not become a state institution although we will receive state funds. Each sports organization will maintain autonomy over its own matters.
"We also expect to be able to finance to some extent our participation in international and regional multisports events. It depends on the state's financial condition."
Kamil said the task force was not yet satisfied with the proposals, and would ask KONI's provincial chapters for input and suggestions.
"Once the proposal is refined, we will submit it to House Commission VI, which oversees human resources and religious affairs, for further processing." (nvn)