KONI secures Rp18b for SEA Games programs

KONI secures Rp18b for SEA Games programs

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council treasury official Setia Novanto told reporters yesterday that the council has secured a fund of Rp18 billion (US$8 million) for the Southeast Asian Games programs from prominent Indonesian businessmen.

Novanto said Rp3 billion was granted in cash by the Panin group. Another group of prominent businessmen led by Sudono Salim and Sudwikatmono has made a financial commitment of Rp15 billion for financing the training programs of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games' athletes, and the cost of sending them to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

This is the follow-up of a dinner hosted by the National Sports Council (KONI) for 50 prominent businessmen last March, aimed at gathering funds for financing Indonesia's preparations for the SEA Games and the sending of national teams to the Games.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has also pledged a donation of Rp 750 million to KONI, Novanto added.

So far, KONI has used some Rp 840 million of the funds to finance the centralized intensive training for the SEA Games.

According to Novanto, continuously asking businessmen for donations would burden them too much. "Especially this year, I estimate that they will have to spend some Rp 60 to Rp 80 billion in donations for financing both KONI's SEA Games programs and this year's government programs for commemorating the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence."

Due to such a condition, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in cooperation with KONI have been devising five alternative sports financing plans, one of which is called Tapornas.

Tapornas, managed by deputy chairman of the National Development Planning Board Rahardi Ramlan, offers a savings scheme coupled with lucrative periodic prizes, which is popularly known as tahapan among the Indonesian banking community.

Unlike tahapan, however, Tapornas offers more frequent prize drawings and additional benefits such as discounts at certain stores. It starts with an initial saving of Rp 50,000 and numbers divisible by that amount.

Novanto declined to reveal the other alternative programs, which will be officially presented on May 17 to KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, who will then discuss their viability with a few state ministers.

However, he hinted that KONI might enter into some partnership or sponsorship agreements with state-run as well as private companies for various sports events. (arf)