KONI seeks funds for Olympics training

KONI seeks funds for Olympics training

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) is
approaching three big companies to arrange sponsorship funds to
prepare Indonesian athletes for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney
in September.

KONI official in charge of planning and budgeting, Togi
Mangara Hutagaol, told reporters during the national plenary
meeting at the Senayan multi-purpose hall on Tuesday that KONI
has yet to sign memorandums of understanding with any of the
three companies.

Togi named fast-food franchise McDonalds, ABN-Amro bank and
Kompas daily as the three sponsor candidates expected to cover
KONI's expenses for the Olympic training programs.

"Up to today, I still can't say anything. We will announce
which companies have a deal with KONI and the amount of the
sponsorship," he said.

KONI needs about Rp 6.9 billion (US$958,300) to finance the 10
sport training program, beginning on Feb. 1st.

The council has received Rp 2 billion from the Gelora Senayan
Management Board (BPGS) and had Rp 500 million surplus from its
1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games budget.

KONI has requested the National Development and Planning Board
(Bappenas) provide Rp 4.9 billion, but has yet to receive any
response.

Togi also said that KONI has yet to receive any financial help
from state enterprises as promised by former state minister of
empowerment of state enterprises, Tanri Abeng, last year.

KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar signed a MOU with Tanri on
July 2, 1999, saying that state enterprises would contribute Rp 7
billion in cash to KONI.

However, they only managed to raise Rp 6 billion. Some Rp 3.5
billion was used to prepare athletes for the 1999 SEA Games and
another Rp 1.5 billion was distributed for athletes' bonuses.
(yan)