KONI seeks provinces' help for SEAG training

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has urged all provincial administrations to fulfill their financial commitments to athletes training for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"So far only the six provinces that are hosting training centers in their areas, plus Jambi and West Kalimantan, have fulfilled their financial commitments," SEA Games project officer Putera Astaman said following an internal meeting of SEA Games officials on Thursday.

KONI is facing severe difficulties financing training programs for the Games. The sports council made a plea for state funding, but has not received a response.

The council asked provincial administrations to set up training centers for the SEA Games. Six provinces -- Bali, Central Java, Jakarta, East Java, Lampung and West Java -- have responded to the call.

"That is why we are calling on other provinces to disburse the needed cash to support athletes from their areas, although we understand it takes some time to receive the approval from the respective provincial councils," Putera said.

"Some sports organizations have had to pay the training expenses on behalf of provincial administrations, but they cannot keep doing this for long because the organizations need the funds for other expenses.

"The meeting also identified several problem areas, including providing education and employment opportunities for athletes and necessary training equipment, that must be addressed ....

"We also discussed accommodation arrangements once all the athletes join the centralized training program here, because the Atlet Century Park Hotel can only house 400 athletes while there will be some 1,000 athletes in the program," he said.

"The main problem is that we have a serious lack of funds. This will, for example, prohibit the use of foreign coaches to help athletes achieve better results."

KONI has only received some Rp 10 billion (US$1 million) of a budgeted Rp 67 billion to prepare its SEA Games contingent.

According to reports, the Bung Karno Sports Complex Management Board (BPGBK) has disbursed another Rp 5 billion, but board chairman Yasidi Hambali was unavailable to confirm these reports.

Last year, BPGBK disbursed Rp 5 billion for SEA Games' preparations.

"I hope the government will soon agree to disburse the Rp 67 billion to guarantee the preparations go smoothly. I am optimistic we will receive all of the needed funds," Putera said. (nvn)