KONI to set up team to make Asiad bid

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) plans to establish a small team next week to prepare Jakarta's proposal to host the 2006 Asian Games.

KONI outgoing vice chairman Arie Sudewo said on Tuesday the team would consist officials from the council, its Jakarta chapter, sport organizations, the office of the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Jakarta administration, the National Development Planning Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Gelora Senayan Management Board and sports experts.

"The team will only prepare arrangement of a proposal for our bidding offer. We'll submit it to the Olympic Committee Asia. After that, KONI will set up another team to conduct further steps," he said.

The Olympic Committee Asia has yet to announce the bidding deadline. In its constitution and rules chapter 38, it is designated to open the bidding six years before the Games.

Arie said a meeting on Tuesday discussed what was needed to put the proposal together. Participants were Yudi Soeyoto of the council's Jakarta chapter, sports expert Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, Olympic Committee Asia fund member Barmawi Chaidir and Gelora Senayan Management Board representatives Yasidi Hambali and Purnomo Hadi.

Despite controversy surrounding the planned bid for the quadrennial event at a time of debilitating crisis, Arie was optimistic long-term preparation could make Indonesia a good host.

"This event won't take place next month. We still have seven years to prepare ourselves. By 2002, hopefully Indonesia will overcome the economic turmoil."

KONI deputy secretary-general Cahyo Adi said the Olympic Committee Asia had yet to summon members for a general assembly meeting to open bidding, but mentioned the end of 1999 as a deadline for Indonesia to arrange the proposal.

Each bidding country must submit the 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 Olympic Committee Asia at the latest three months after the announcement.

Proposals must identify proposed venues and athletes village facilities for the Games, plus the financial resources to host the event.

At least 17 events must be planned, including the two Olympics mainstays of athletics and swimming. The Games must stretch between 12 days and 16 days, inclusive of the opening and closing ceremonies.

President B.J. Habibie has thrown his weight behind KONI's idea, despite criticism from several sports organizations that it was unrealistic due to the country's crisis of the past two years.

Siregar said the government must also issue a presidential decree to show its support.

"The decree will make it easier for KONI to take the next steps in preparing the Game."

Bidding for the Asiad is part of KONI's ambitious Golden Garuda project, aimed at making Indonesia the host and earning a minimal sixth-place medal tally finish.

Indonesia will face stiff competition from neighboring Malaysia, India and the United Arab Emirates.

Malaysia promoted its bid for the Games by handing out brochures at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok last December.

"Malaysia has an advantage from hosting the Commonwealth Games in September as its sports venues can still be used for the Asiad," Arie acknowledged.

Cahyo said financial gains were available. "If Bangkok can make a profit from hosting the Asiad, why can't we? We also want to make a profit." (ivy/yan)