KONI to form team for 2006 Asiad campaign
KONI to form team for 2006 Asiad campaign
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) plans to set
up a special team to organize Indonesia's campaign to host the
2006 Asian Games (Asiad).
Secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw told reporters on Wednesday
that the team members' names would be announced after the
inauguration of KONI's new officials by President B.J. Habibie
at the State Palace on Monday.
"The special team will include Jakarta governor and mayors and
representatives from the state minister of youth affairs and
sports office. The team's task is to ensure other Asiad
participating countries that the Indonesian government and people
fully support Indonesia bid to host the quadrennial event," he
said.
Warouw also said that KONI would work together with officials
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intensify the diplomatic
approach.
"When Athens bid for the Olympics, their ambassadors visited
members of the International Olympic Committee as a part of its
campaign. We hope our diplomats will do the same," he said.
KONI will send its officials to attend the Olympic Committee
of Asia (OCA) general assembly in Kuwait in November.
Warouw said the officials would have to fill out an
application to bid. Bidding will start early next year. KONI
earlier sent a letter of intent offering Indonesia as host to the
Asiad.
"The President himself has thrown his weight behind the idea
of hosting the Asiad. His approval is one of the main
requirements for bidding," he said, adding that the new
government gave better attention to sports development in the
country.
However, some sports organizations criticized KONI's plan,
saying it was unrealistic due to Indonesia's prolonged two-year-
old economic crisis.
Bidding for the 2006 Asiad is part of KONI's ambitious Golden
Garuda project, aimed at making Indonesia the host and finishing
at least sixth in the medal tally.
Warouw said Indonesia would face tough challenges from
neighboring country Malaysia, India, the United Arab Emirates and
Qatar.
Each bidding country must submit its proposal along with an
application fee of US$10,000. If a country is appointed host, it
is required to contribute another $190,000 to OCA by three months
after the announcement. (ivy)